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STEPHEN  Bo  WEEKS 

CLASS  OF  isae;  PKD.  THE  .lOHNS  HOPKINS  UNrVERSfP.' 

OF  THE 

UMVERSimY  OF  NdJim  CAMDUNA 
TIE  WEEIKS  COLILECTEON 

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FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTIC 


Form  No.  A-368,  Rev.  8/95 


Ifn  flDemoriam. 


WILLIAM     HENRY     BRANSON 


Born  May  23,   I860. 
Died  March  24,  1899. 


PRINTED    BY 

JOSEPH    J.    STONE, 


INTRODUCTION. 


♦fTN  obedience  to  requests  from  his  family,  the 
II  materials  for  this  volume  have  been  collected 
and  put  into  permanent  form  in  order  that  the 
many  friends  and  acquaintances  of  William 
Henuy  Branson  might  come  into  i)ossession  of 
the  leading  facts  of  his  busy  and  godly  life,  and 
the  tragic  circumstances  of  his  sad  and  untimely 
death. 

He  was  a  great  force  in  every  phase  of  life  which 
he  touched,  and  the  lessons  of  such  a  history  can- 
not fail  to  become  an  inspiration  to  the  young  and 
a  source  of  c<msolation  to  those  who  have  reached 
mature  years. 

The  compiler  of  this  volume  knew  Mk.  Branson 
for  fifteen  years,  and  feels  glad  to  acknowledge 
here  the  influence  of  such  an  acquaintance  upon  his 
own  hfe.  He  would  record  in  this  fitting  place  his 
obligation  to  that  departed  friend  for  many  w^ords 
of  cheer  and  encouragement,  as  well  as  much 
material  aid,  in  the  delicate  and  responsible  work 
which  has  been  placed  in  his  hands. 

Now,  let  the  words  of  those  who  knew  him  best 

and  loved  him  greatest  tell  the  simple  story  of  his 

active  and  faithful  life.     The  work  of  gathering  up 

these  fragments  has  not  been  a  burden,  but  a  labor 

of  love. 

Dred  Peacock. 

Greensboro  Female  College,  Aayust  £St/i,  1S99. 


SYMPATHETIC  LINES, 


To   the   Bereaved   Relatives  and   Friends  of  William 
Henry  Branson. 


There  was   no   cloud   across   the   sky, 

To   tell   the  gathering  gloom   of   night, 

No   shadow   dimmed   the  light  of  day, 

The  morning  dawned   all   fair   and   bright. 

No   shade  nor   shadow  seemed   to  lurk, 
About  the  threshold   of  the  door; 

No   voice  was  heard   to    tell   of  one 

Whose  passing  out  would    be  no   more. 

When  evening  came,    a  Presence  grim 
Had   passed   into  the  house  so  bright, 

And   silenced,    aye,    the  joy   of  home 
And    stilled   forever  hearts   so   light. 

'Twas   thus   it  seemed    to   those  who   heard. 
That  one  they   knew   had   passed    away, 

So   much  of   life,    and  strength,    and    hope, 
Was  taken   in  one  fleeting  day  ! 

Yet  is   his   life  forever  done 

Because  no   more  we  hear  his   voice? 
Will   not  his   influence  live  on? 

()  mourning  hearts,    for  this,    rejoice  ! 


0  sorrowing-  ones,    it  hath   been   said, 

"He  liveth   long-,    who   liveth   well." 
The   hearts   he  cheered,    the   good    he  did, 
Eternity   alone  can   tell. 

1  knew   him   in  his   sunny   youth, 

His   father's   pride,    his  mother's  joy. 
And   others   learned  on   him   to   lean, 
His   life  beg-an   when   but  a   boy. 

His   work  was   wroug-ht,   his  mission  filled. 
Then  came  the  messag^e  swift  and   sure; 

On  earth  at  morn,    at  eve  in  heaven, 
The  faithful   shall  fore'er  endure. 

Look  up   sad   hearts,    amid   your   gloom, 
With  g-rief  and    sorrow  overborne, 

And  hear  the  Saviour's  loving  voice 

Say  sweetly,    "Blest  are  they  that  mourn." 

"They   shall  be  comforted,"  He  saith. 

His   promises   are  ever  sure, 
Nor  depth  nor  heig-ht  shall   separate. 

His   word   forever   shall  endure. 

Mrs.  E.  M.  Anderson. 
Durham,   N.  C,  March  27th,  1S99. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH. 


BY  REV.   JOHN  C.  KILGO,  D.  D. 


Very  few  American  families  can  trace  their  an- 
cestry beyond  three  or  four  generations.  This  is 
due  to  the  lack  of  a  historical  spirit  among  the  early 
settlers  of  a  country.  They  make  no  records,  and 
only  vague  traditions  carry  their  histories  down  to 
other  generations.  When  the  Branson  family  came 
to  America  cannot  be  accurately  determined.  It 
is,  however,  certain  that  early  in  the  eighteenth 
century  Thomas  Branson  came  from  England  and 
settled  in  Chatham  county,  N.  C.  This  makes  the 
Branson  family  one  of  the  old  families  of  North 
Carohna,  and  identities  them  with  all  the  periods  of 
the  State's  growth. 

William  Henry  Branson  belonged  to  the  fifth  gen- 
eration from  Thomas  Branson.  William's  father 
was  named  Thomas,  doubtless  for  the  original 
Branson  and  was  born  in  Randolph  county,  near 
Asheboro,  in  the  year  1800.  For  four  generations 
the  Branson  family  remained  in  this  section  of  the 
State,  a  fact  which  indicates  an  indisposition  to 
rove  from  point  to  point  in  search  of  eaiser  fortunes. 

Thomas  Branson,  the  father  of  William  H.  Bran- 
son, was  twice  married;  the  tirst  time  to  Miss 
Mary  Lewellyn,  the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Prescott, 


8  IN    MEMORIAM. 

who  was  a  Miss  Buck.  William  was  the  only  child 
by  this  second  wife.  He  was  born  at  Cedar  Palls, 
Randolph  county,  May  23,  1860.  His  father  was  a 
blacksmith,  a  vocation  of  large  importance  in  the 
first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century.  The  black- 
smith was  then  a  manufacturer,  making  not  only 
all  the  implements  of  farming,  but  all  the  pieces  of 
iron  furniture  in  the  best  homes.  Longfellow's 
"Village  Blacksmith"  commemorates  the  true  dig- 
nity and  character  of  the  hero  of  the  anvil.  So 
Thomas  Branson  was  a  central  figure  in  the  indus- 
try of  his  community.  He  is  described  as  a  man 
with  a  large  and  erect  frame,  strong  intellect,  and 
noble  character.  He  was  a  man  of  deep  convictions, 
and  held  to  them  with  unshaken  fidelity;  he  was 
energetic  and  honest  in  all  business  transactions, 
while  his  genial  nature  drew  about  him  a  host  of 
friends.  One  who  knew,  him  said,  "Never  was 
there  a  more  upright  man  than  Thomas  Branson.'" 
His  second  wife  was  a  woman  of  genial  nature,  and 
very  full  of  energy.  Their  only  son,  William  Henry, 
got  a  good  start  in  his  parents,  and  his  record 
fully  sustained  their  character  in  the  larger  world 
of  activity  to  which  he  belonged. 

Thomas  Branson  died  when  William  was  very 
young.  This,  joined  with  the  extremely  poor  edu- 
cational facilities,  gave  young  William  no  opportu- 
nity to  attend  any  other  than  a  local  school.  Never- 
theless, he  succeeded  in  grasping  the  principles  of 
arithmetic  before  he  was  twelve  years  old,  for  he 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  9 

never  attended  scb(M)l  alter  that  age.  Nature  had 
endowed  him  with  large  mental  powers,  and  from 
the  earliest  he  seemed  to  have  superior  control 
over  his  faculties  of  mind.  Young  men  who  cite 
such  instances  to  defend  their  indifference  to  edu- 
cational opportunities,  should  first  be  sure  that 
nature  has  extended  to  them  such  a  beneficent 
hand  as  it  held  out  to  him.  He  not  only  had  facul- 
ties, but  they  had  empetus,  and  he  was  always 
learning.  Minds  run  down  and  grow^th  is  arrested, 
but  he  had  the  genius  of  endless  growth. 

His  half  sister.  Miss  Jennie  Prescott,  married 
Mr.  J.  A.  Odell,  a  merchant  in  the  town  of  Greens- 
boro, N.  C.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  went  to  live 
with  them  as  a  member  of  the  family.  This  was  a 
new  era  in  William's  life.  Mr.  Odell  is  not  only  a 
man  of  stalwart  character,  but  his  business  genius 
puts  him  among  the  business  leaders  of  the  South 
Atlantic  States.  Young  Branson  had  the  life  of 
this  man  to  touch  him  from  the  intimate  relation  of 
the  home  at  his  most  impressible  age.  This  may 
be  called  good  fortune  by  some  men;  it  was  destiny 
to  William  Branson.  He  went  into  the  Odell  home, 
and  the  Odell  home  went  into  him.  He  worked  in 
the  store  as  a  clerk,  and  developed  his  powers  to 
deal  with  large  and  varied  classes  of  men.  A  young 
boy  behind  the  counter  of  a  busy  store  is  not  in  the 
poorest  school.  To  succeed  as  a  clerk  requires 
energetic  study  and  large  self-control.  William 
succeeded. 


10  IN    MEMORIAM. 

He  did  not  receive  a  salary  for  the  first  four 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Odell  home,  p.nd 
was  cared  for  as  a  son.  His  fidehty  to  the  home 
relations  was  so  marked  that  his  sister  was  never 
forced  to  punish  him.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Odell  always 
knew  his  plans,  and  as  long  as  he  was  with  them, 
he  never  left  the  home  without  their  knowledg-e 
and  approval.  To  him  manliness  and  honor  were 
inseparable,  and  freedom  was  obedience  to  duty 
and  truth.  It  is  no  surprise  that  the  confidence 
which  grew  up  in  those  years  never  diminished  in 
later  years. 

William  was  sixteen  years  old  when  the  Centen- 
nial Exhibition  came  on  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Odell. 
as  an  expression  of  appreciation  of  him  and  his 
work,  took  him  to  Philadelphia.  This  opportunity 
to  look  out  on  the  world  and  feel  the  throb  of  its 
energy  and  genius,  meant  much  to  this  lad  of  six- 
teen years.  He  did  not  i-eturn  home  the  same  boy; 
he  did  not  live  again  in  the  same  world;  he  came 
back  a  larger  boy  in  a  larger  world.  The  country 
school  in  Randolph  county,  the  Odell  home  and 
store,  and  the  trip  to  Philadelphia,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  short  visit  to  New  York,  were  the  schools  in 
which  William  H.  Branson  was  educated.  In  the 
first,  he  gained  access  to  books;  in  the  second, 
access  to  business  and  society;  in  the  third,  access 
to  the  impulses  of  the  world.  These  three  attain- 
ments in  the  possession  of  a  highly  endowed  man 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  11 

aggregated  no  small  capital   with  which  to  begin 
life. 

When  William  returned  to  Greensboro  from 
Philadelphia,  he  had  his  wardrobe  and  fifteen  cents 
in  cash.  From  this  time  he  became  an  employee 
of  Mr.  Odell,  on  a  salary  of  fifteen  dollars  a  month. 
Thus  he  entered  on  his  business  career.  In  this 
day  of  restless  youth,  impatient  for  a  rapid  rise  to 
easy  and  lucrative  positions,  the  history  of  William 
H.  Branson  is  a  sharp  reproof.  He  began  at  what 
men  call  the  "bottom  round,"  not  because  those 
who  loved  him  could  not  have  elevated  him  at  once 
to  a  higher  position,  but  because  their  wisdom  sug- 
gested a  better  plan.  Men  rule  best  who  have 
served  most  faithfully  in  every  sphere  to  be  ruled. 
Young  Cornelius  Vanderbilt  is  a  common  laborer 
in  the  shops  of  the  New  York  Central  Railroad,  in 
order  that  he  may  be  a  better  president  of  the 
system  Rapid  progress  means  early  bankruptcy, 
and  against  this  calamity  young  Branson  was 
trained.  As  the  years  passed  his  salary  grew,  so, 
having  learned  to  live  on  a  small  salary,  he  knew^ 
how  to  save  from  a  larger  one.  The  best  product 
of  education  is  the  control  that  it  gives  a  man  of  all 
the  powers  of  his  nature.  To  think  accurately  is 
not  enough.  Unless  a  man  can  master  his  moral 
desires,  high  thinking  will  prove  to  be  a  disastrous 
thinking.  William  Branson  had  been  trained  to 
deny  useless  desires,  and  he  was  no  longer  in  the 
way  of  his  own  success. 


12  IN    MEMORIAM. 

At  the  orgiiiiization  of  the  Durham  Cotton  Mill, 
in  1884,  Mr.  J.  A.  Odell  was  elected  President,  and 
William  H.  Branson  was  chosen  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  Young  Branson  was  practically  placed 
at  the  head  of  this  new  enterprise,  for  through  him 
Mr.  Odell  directed  the  business.  At  this  time  the 
cotton  manufacturing  interest  entered  on  the 
period  of  expansion  in  the  South  Atlantic  States. 
The  growth  was  rapid,  but  the  fact  that  untrained 
men  werq  necessarily  placed  at  the  head  of  new 
mills,  made  it  a  critical  period.  Not  only  were  new 
markets  to  be  opened,  and  new  business  affiliations 
formed,  but  unexperienced  labor  was  to  be  trained, 
and  new  social  relations  were  to  be  adjusted.  It 
was  into  the  midst  of  these  problems  that  Mr. 
Branson  was  suddenly  thrown.  He  met  them  with 
an  assuring  faith.  He  was  born  to  lead  men.  He 
knew  how  to  plan  a  work,  and  to  organize  and 
inspire  his  forces.  No  crisis  could  throw  him  into 
a  spasm  of  excitement,  but  he  was  calmest  when 
the  ordinar^^  man  was  most  excited.  During  the 
business  panic  of  the  first  years  of  this  decade,  he 
showed  no  timidity,  but  maintained  that  stability 
which  alone  can  secure  the  integrity  of  business. 
Business  genius  is  rare  enough,  and  great  enough 
to  command  the  admiration  of  all  true  men,  and 
only  a  moral  quackery  discounts  it.  It  is  as  foolish 
to  think  that  every  man  can  build  or  control  large 
business  enterprises,  as  it  is  to  expect  every  man 
to  write  Shakespeare's  Hamlet,  or  Goethe's  Faust. 


WILLIAM    HENKY    BKANSO^.  13 

This  talent  belongs  to  the  few,  just  as  the  poetic 
genius  is  a  rare  talent.     Too  much  may  be  attribu- 
ted to  opportunity,  or   so-called  "good  fortune." 
but  the  real  opportunity  is  the  man.     The  modern 
teachers  of  economy  rest  their  hopes  too  much  in 
natural  agencies,  exj^ecting  to  produce  wealth  by 
changing  circumstances.      The  problem   is   to  be 
solved  in  the  man,  not  in  the  conditions,  for  the 
man  who  lacks  the  power  to  ccmtrol  circumstances 
lacks  the  very  element  of  success.     Mr.  Branscm 
did  not  wait  for  times  to  change  and  conditions  to 
become   better,  he   changed   the  conditions.     The 
real  leader  of  men  will  never  lack  men  to  lead.     By 
the  force  of  moral  energy  tne  pubhc  mind  moves 
about  him  as  an  appointed  center.     He  seeks  noth- 
ing; everything  seeks  him.     The  large  number  of 
enterprises  that  sought  the  fostering  care  of  Mr. 
Branson  illustrates  the  truthfulness  of  the  state- 
ment.    He  was  a  Trustee  of    Trinity   College,   a 
Member  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  Trinity 
College,   Trustee  of  Greensboro  Female  College, 
Director  of  the  Fidehty  Bank,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer of  Durham  Cotton  Mill  and  Pearl  Cotton  Mill, 
Director    of    the    Durham    and    Oxford    Railroad, 
Director  of  Odell  Manufacturing  Company,  Treas- 
urer of  the  Joint  Board  of  Finance  of  the  North 
Carolina  Conference,   Steward  of  Carr  Church,  a 
Trustee   of    Church   property,   and    associated    in 
some  way  with  various  other  institutions.     These 
were  not  honorary  positions,  but  enterprises  which 


14  IN    MEMOKIAM. 

sought  the  wise  direction  of  this  strong  man.  So, 
they  were  to  him  responsibiUties,  and  got  from  him 
closest  study  and  faithful  direction.  In  the  meet- 
ings of  these  Boards  he  was  always  active.  Mr. 
Branson's  success  as  a  business  man  cannot  be 
attributed  to  any  one  element  of  character.  He 
was  a  man  whose  faculties  compassed  large  and 
varied  spheres,  so  that  he  put  into  his  plans  ideas 
gathered  fi'oni  many  points  of  view  and  protected 
on  every  side. 

Men  who  have  large  aptitudes  for  business 
rarely  develop  social  tastes.  There  is  an  antago- 
nism between  the  two  spheres,  and  only  men  of 
great  adaptability  can  so  harmonize  them  as  to 
make  them  serve  each  other.  The  business  man 
regards  a  social  occasion  as  a  waste  of  time,  and 
w^hen  forced  into  a  social  assembly,  finds  himself 
cramped  and  vexed.  Close  calculations  and  stern 
facts  injure,  if  they  do  not  destroy,  those  senti- 
ments upon  which  society  rests.  The  loss  of  fac- 
ulties is  a  common  calamity,  especially  the  more 
unselfish  faculties  that  cannot  be  traded  in  the 
markets.  Mr.  Branson  was  an  exception  to  this 
rule.  He  could  lay  aside  the  calculations  of  the 
office,  dismiss  from  his  mind  the  conditions  of  the 
market,  shut  out  the  roar  of  machinery,  and  throw 
himself  with  genial  enthusiasm  into  a  lawn  party 
of  his  little  girl,  or  a  social  function  of  largest  i^ro- 
portions.  He  was  not  dragged  into  these;  he  had 
a  highly   developed   social  nature.     Three  things 


WILLIAM    HENRY    imANSON.  15 

made  him  sociiil.  He  was  naturally  a  man  of  dee]) 
and  refined  sympathies,  and  could  not,  therefore, 
lind  his  hfe's  satisfaction  in  himself.  The  second 
cause  is  found  in  the  genial  associations  of  the 
Odell  home!  In  it  he  had  his  natural  social  senti- 
ments trained  and  gratified.  The  third  cause  was 
a  happy  marriage.  December  17,  1885,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Clara  Sergeant,  of  Greensboro. 
N.  C.  Two  lives  may  make  one  great  life,  or  they 
may  destroy  each  other.  The  union  in  married  life 
is  not  a  legal  agreement,  to  which  society  sets  its 
approval.  It  is  a  mystical  unity,  where  two 
thoughts  and  two  impulses  so  fuse  into  each  other 
as  to  consume  all  separate  identity  in  a  new  and 
larger  expression.  This,  and  this  alone,  is  mar- 
riage. Legal  contracts  and  ecclesiastical  ceremo- 
nies cannot  so  unite  what  nature  has  forever 
divorced.  The  law  of  congeniality  is  as  rigid  as 
the  law  of  gravity,  and  ruin  can  only  come  from  an 
attempt  to  reverse  it.  Forced  nature  is  wrecked 
history.  William  Branson  and  Clara  Serf/catit  were 
married.  She  was  to  him  the  ideal  woman.  Genial, 
sympathetic,  loving,  and  faithful,  she  was  to  him  a 
poem,  the  passion  of  whose  movement  was  a  divine 
impulse,  keeping  alive  the  diviner  sides  of  his 
nature.^  With  him,  she  could  never  degenerate 
into  a  soft  social  show;  with  her,  he  could  never 
become  a  hardened  man  of  the  market.  Society  is 
at  its  best,  or  its  worst  in  the  home.  In  this  house 
it  was  at  its  best.     Mr.  Branson  had  his  business 


16  IN    MEMORIAM. 

clay,  but  when  that  ended  he  gave  himself  to  his 
family.  The  city  of  Durham  will  not  forget  the 
evening  rides  he  took  with  his  family.  The  sight 
was  a  sermon  on  "how  to  love  and  how  to  be  loved/' 
Little  William,  his  only  son,  was  sent  to  the  home 
of  a  neighbor  on  the  morning  of  the  accident  that 
robbed  him  of  a  father,  and  was  not  allowed  to 
return  home  till  night.  He  was  brought  into  his 
mother's  room  just  at  the  hour  of  the  day  when  the 
family  circle  was  at  its  best.  The  little  fellow  at  a 
moment  felt  the  distress  of  his  father's  absence, 
and  his  tirst  uttei^ance  was,  "Mamma,  where  is 
papa?  "  His  little  life  had  its  joys  in  the  hours  of  a 
father's  presence  in  the  home.  Little  Annie's  par- 
ties, his  wife's  social  occasions,  companionship 
with  his  friends,  and  the  annual  social  functions 
of  Trinity  College,  all  received  his  best  contribu- 
tions of  joy  and  gladness. 

His  social  nature  did  him  great  service  in  his 
business  relations.  It  not  only  gave  him  ready 
access  to  the  sympathies  of  men  with  whom  he  had 
transactions,  but  it  saved  his  business  plans  and 
methods  from  the  monotony  of  hard  and  cold 
mechanism.  Between  the  manager  and  the  laborer 
there  must  be  something  more  than  a  contract. 
Otherwise,  trickery  and  suspicions  arise  that  hin- 
der, if  they  do  not  ruin,  an  enterprise.  Legislation 
can  do  very  little,  if  it  can  do  anything,  to  prevent 
friction  between  capital  and  labor.  Likely,  it  has 
created  more  friction  than  it  has  prevented.     The 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  17 

friction  has  its  rise  in  that  margin  which  hes  out- 
side of  legal  control,  a  sphere  which  modern  socio- 
logists have  ignored.      There  must  be  a  point  of 
personal  contact  between  labor  and  capital,  and  no 
increase  in  wages  will  ever  act  as  a  substitute  for 
this  personal  and  moral  bond.     Labor  wants  the 
inspiration  of  personal  regard ;   capital  wants  the 
assurance  of  personal  confidence.     The  necessity 
is  a  common  necessity.     Mr.  Branson  solved  the 
problem,  just  as  very  many  other  wise  men  have 
solved  it.      He    touched    the  lives   of   those  who 
worked  under  him  w^ith  a  sincere  sympathy  and 
regard.      He  did    not    patronize  them,   as  he  did 
not  patronize  any  man.     He  never  called  them  his 
"operatives,"    '"hands"  or   "laborers,"  but  "our 
people."     This  was  not  a  conventionahsm,  for  he 
held  them  in  the  high  esteem  of  kinship,  and  never 
met  them  on  any  other  basis.     The  entire  commu- 
nity organized  around  him  with  perfect  confidence. 
Free  himself  from  the  feelings  of  lordship,  they 
were  free  from  the  sense  of  serfdom.     Friction  is 
not  possible  under  such  conditions,  and  the  sorrow 
of  "our  people"  when  this  man  was  smitten  down, 
attested  the  wisdom  and  sincerity  of  his  leader- 
ship. 

When  Mr.  Branson  was  seventeen  years  old  he 
was  converted  at  a  meeting  held  in  West  Market 
Methodist  church,  in  Greensboro,  N.  C.  At  the 
same  time  he  joined  the  Methodist  church.  His 
parents  were  Methodists,  and  his  associations  after 


18  IN    MEMORIAM. 

he  left  the  home  of  his  mother,  preserved  in  him 
the  faith  of  the  household.  He  was  never  a  bad 
boy,  and  knew  nothing  of  "sowing  wild  oats,"  an 
expression  used  to  apologize  for  the  unnecessary 
sins  of  youth.  The  most  intimate  companion  of 
his  boyhood  tells  with  joy  that  he  never  heard 
young  Branson  use  an  impure  word,  or  relate  an 
unclean  joke.  Upon  this  foundation  of  purity  and 
integrity  rested  his  faith  in  the  power  of  Christ  to 
save  him.  Into  his  church  membership  he  put  all 
of  his  energies.  He  was  a  great  churchman,  study- 
ing the  doctrines  and  pohty  of  his  church,  and 
using  his  knowledge  for  its  best  interests.  He 
was  no  bigot,  but  he  was  loyal  at  all  times  to  the 
church  of  his  choice.  In  every  matter  affecting 
the  work  of  his  church  he  supported  an  aggressive 
policy,  and  took  a  broad  view  of  every  movement. 
With  the  ethics  of  narrow  and  selfish  men  he  had 
no  sympathy.  Though  young,  he  was  one  of  the 
most  potent  factors  in  the  North  Carolina  Confer- 
ence. In  his  own  church,  his  pastor  found  him  an 
ideal  layman,  true  to  his  vows,  active  in  all  church 
work,  and  the  center  of  greatest  influence.  He 
was  not  only  active  in  the  business  of  the  Church, 
but  in  revival  services  gave  his  energies  to  the 
one  work  of  saving  his  fellowman.  As  treasurer 
of  the  Joint  Board  of  Finance,  the  entire  financial 
work  of  the  year  in  the  North  Carolina  Confer- 
ence passed  under  his  review.  He  was  always 
present  at  the  sessions  of  the  Conference,  never 


WILLIAM    HENKY    BRANSON.  19 

allowing  business  to  keep  him  away,  or  to  call 
him  home  before  his  work  was  finished.  No 
man  ever  heard  him  comi)lain  that  the  church  work 
interfered  with  his  business.  He  did  not  carry 
his  factories  to  the  Conference  sessions,  and  did 
not  frel,  to  return  to  them.  Such  tideht^^  com- 
mands confidence,  and  his  church  was  glad  to 
honor  him.  Some  men  use  church  honors  for  sel- 
fish ends,  and  seek  them  for  distant  aims.  Mr. 
Branson  sought  nothing;  everything  sought  him. 
Twice  he  was  a  member  of  the  General  Conference; 
the  first  time  at  the  session  of  1894,  in  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  and  as  an  alternate  in  the  last  session, 
which  met  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  May,  1898. 
Ill  this  body  he  was  an  important  legislator. 
Broad-minded,  aggressive,  and  wise,  he  threw  his 
influence  where  he  judged  best  for  the  life  and 
progress  of  the  church.  His  faith  could  not  be 
disturbed  by  those  alarmists  whose  mental  horizons 
were  tortured  with  imaginary  storms.  "Their 
wild  dreams  do  not  disturb  me,"  he  would  say. 
"Our  Bishops  are  wise  and  godly  men  and  we  can 
risk  them , "  was  fundamental  with  him.  Some  men 
are  monumental  characters  whose  records  impart 
assurance  and  give  great  stability  to  cardinal  truth. 
In  the  church,  William  H.  Branson  was  such  a 
character. 

He  was  a  true  man.  His  appearance  spoke  out 
the  magnificence  of  his  character.  Tall  and  erect, 
weighing  nearly  two  hundred  pounds,  with  a  large 


20  IN    MEMORIAM. 

head,  broad  brow,  bright  and  expressive  eye, 
strong  features,  and  noble  movement,  he  was  the 
embodiment  of  high  honor  and  noble  impulses. 
He  had  the  model  tigure  of  a  hero.  God  does  not 
build  such  temples  in  which  to  house  bats;  the 
occupant  of  such  a  divine  structure  has  exalted 
rights  which,  if  obeyed,  makes  him  God's  noble- 
man. William  H.  Branson  obeyed  them.  He  was 
just  reaching  up  to  that  period  of  life  when  every- 
thing is  full  of  glad  prophecies.  All  the  years  of 
his  life  were  years  of  apparent  ^preparation,  and 
his  friends  rejoiced  that  the  depth  and  breadth  of 
the  foundation  measured  an  immense  future.  In 
the  glow"  of  these  hopes,  death  came  to  him  while 
he  was  in  the  path  of  duty,  the  only  path  in  which 
he  ever  made  a  foot-print.  A  darker  shadow  never 
fell  on  any  community  than  the  one  that  came  to 
the  city  of  Durham  when,  on  the  twenty-fourth 
day  of  March,  1899,  William  H.  Branson,  by  a  fear- 
ful accident,  was  taken  away.  In  him  seemed  to 
be  unborn  history.  It  will  have  its  birth  in  higher 
realms,  for  there  is  no  cessation  of  life.  Noble 
powers  may  not  have  sufficient  time  in  this  life, 
they  will  get  it  in  the  life  beyond. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  21 


THE  FUNERAL. 


The  funeral  services  over  the  remains  of  the  late 
W.  H.  Branson,  who  died  Friday  evening  from  the 
effects  of  terrible  scalding  received  in  the  pump 
house  at  the  East  Durham  mill,  were  conducted 
from  Trinity  Church,  Saturday  afternoon,  March 
25th,  at  2  o'clock. 

Quite  a  crowd  of  the  friends  of  the  family  filled 
the  church  and  listened  to  the  words  of  commen- 
dation of  the  character  of  the  dead  man.  The 
services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  D.  N.  Caviness, 
pastor  of  Carr  Church,  of  which  deceased  was  one 
of  the  most  prominent  members. 

Revs.  G.  A.  Oglesby,  Cole,  Langston,  Yates,  and 
Kilgo  took  part  in  the  services.  Dr.  Kilgo,  presi- 
dent of  Trinity  College,  of  which  Mr.  Branson  was 
one  of  the  Trustees,  made  a  short  talk  on  the 
character  of  the  deceased,  and  paid  a  beautiful 
tribute  to  his  memory.     He  said  : 

"A  good  man  is  not  an  accident,  but  is  the  pro- 
duct of  the  divine  hand.  He  is  made  after  the 
plans  of  God,  and  all  the  forces  that  enter  into  his 
life  are  divine  forces.  Such  men  as  Enoch,  Joseph, 
Moses  and  David  did  not  spring  uj)  by  chance. 
God  thought  them  out,  and  they  have  their  truest 
explanation  in  a  fellowship  with  Him.  So  the  good 
men  who  are  in  the  world  today  are  more  than 


22  IN   MEMORIAM. 

foi'tunate  men.  It  is  correct  to  speak  of  the  good 
man  as  'the  man  of  God. '  He  is  in  a  true  sense  an 
incarnation,  and  the  divine  element  in  him  raises 
him  to  this  high  distinction. 

"The  making  of  a  good  man  is  the  most  absorb- 
ing work  of  God  in  the  government  of  the  earth. 
This  is  the  highest  aim  to  be  reached,  and  into  it 
have  been  thrown  all  the  energies  of  the  universe. 
'AH  power  in  heaven  and  earth  has  been  given  into 
my  hands, '  said  Christ.  The  only  use  he  has  for 
this  power  is  to  produce  a  good  and  great  man. 
He  put  into  tnis  work  all  the  resources  of  his 
own  nature,  and  laid  the  foundation  in  his  own 
death.  All  that  goes  to  make  history  he  governs 
to  the  end  of  making  a  good  man. 

"Besides  these  outside  elements  that  enter  into 
the  character  of  a  good  man,  he  contributes  all  of 
his  own  energies  to  the  same  end.  His  self-sacri- 
fice and  consecration  cannot  be  measured.  In 
his  history  there  is  much  that  is  tragedy.  The 
secret  struggles  through  which  he  maintains  his 
integrity  are  the  sublimest  scenes  of  human  tri- 
umph. The  closet  of  the  good  man  could  disclose 
the  story  of  bloodiest  conflicts. 

"In  every  good  man  there  is  some  leading 
element  of  character.  One  idea  rules.  Only  Christ 
was  able  to  comj^ass  every  trait  of  holiness.  Other 
men  represent  in  a  high  degree  only  a  single  ruling 
trait.  Job  is  renowned  for  his  patience;  Nehe- 
miah  instructs  the  world  in  holy  patriotism,  and 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  23 

Paul  in  heroic  faith.  In  an  effort  to  discover  the 
supreme  element  in  the  character  of  my  friend, 
WilHam.  H.  Branson,  I  found  none  so  prominent  as 
his  power  to  love.  His  life  grew  out  of  this. 
When  it  first  came  to  the  throne  of  moral  con- 
sciousness, I  cannot  say.  It,  however,  must  have 
appeared  at  an  early  period,  as  there  were  no 
marks  of  envy  and  hate  visible  on  his  face.  His 
brow  was  smooth;  his  eye  beamed  with  hope;  his 
form  was  erect;  his  w^ords  were  pure;  and  his 
spirit  full  of  gladness.  Hatred  leaves  its  marks, 
but  he  bore  none  of  them. 

"All  of  the  relations  of  life  testify  to  his  power  to 
love.  His  home  had  its  foundations  in  a  loyal 
heart.  He  married  because  he  loved  the  woman 
who  was  to  share  his  life.  The  children  that  came 
into  his  house  were  the  offspring  of  a  holy  love,  and 
the  partners  of  all  he  had.  No  business,  how^ever 
urgent  and  intricate,  could  make  him  lose  sight 
of  the  simplest  joys  of  his  family.  With  peculiar 
emphasis  he  spoke  of  them  as,  'My  wife  and  chil- 
dren.'  The  emphasis  was  on  'my.'  I  can  never 
forget  a  few  hours  spent  with  him  in  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  on  our  return  from  the  last  session  of  our 
Annual  Conference.  After  arranging  at  the  hotel, 
we  went  to  stroll  on  the  streets.  His  children 
seemed  to  be  with  him.  He  entered  a  jewelry 
store,  and,  with  the  enthusiasm  of  a  lover,  made 
purchases  for  each  member  of  the  home.  He  said 
to  me,   'This  is  the  only  trading  I  ever  do  with 


24  IN    MEMORIAM. 

genuine  enthusiasm.  What  1  buy  for  my  wife  and 
children  gives  my  greatest  pleasure. '  It  is  no 
ordinary  man  who  can  lay  aside  companions  and 
the  business  of  a  great  factory,  to  buy  a  ring  for  a 
precious  child.  He  literally  threw  his  heart  with 
its  smoking  heat  into  the  lap  of  his  family,  and 
their  highest  inspiration  was  the  integrity  of  his 
love. 

"As  the  head  of  a  large  business,  employing 
many  men  and  women,  he  was  true  to  his  nature. 
He  ruled  by  the  love  he  had  for  every  employee. 
They  had  access  to  him.  and  his  cheerful  face 
assured  them  in  their  task.  There  was  no  show 
of  lordship  in  his  relations  to  them.  He  never 
spoke  of  them  as  'employees,'  nor  as  'hands,'  but 
always  as  'our  people.'  He  felt  a  kinship  which 
he  was  always  glad  to  acknowledge,  and  this  was 
true  under  all  circumstances.  They  were  'our 
people'  if  they  woi'ked,  'our  people'  when  they 
voted,  'our  people'  when  they  worshipped,  and 
'our  people'  when  they  went  on  excursions  of 
pleasure.  He  solved  the  labor  problem  about 
which  so  much  is  said.  He  did  not  appeal  to  legis- 
lation for  new  laws,  nor  to  quacks  for  new  theo- 
ries, but  in  the  'our  people'  feeling  he  made  fric- 
tion impossible.  William  H.  Branson  was  himself 
the  solution  of  those  calamities,  because  he  made 
such  problems  an  impossibility.  Laborers  do  not 
so  much   want   more   money  as   they  want  more 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  27) 

personal  sympathy  and  interest.  All  who  labored 
with  him  knew  him  as  a  'good  man.' 

"In  his  church  work,  to  which  he  was  supremely 
loyal,  in  his  general  business  duties,  and  in  his 
social  fellowship,  he  was  the  same  man  wit  h  a  great 
heart  of  love.  He  was  never  in  such  a  hurry  as  to 
overlook  the  humblest  friend,  but  always  greeted 
him  with  a  glad  smile  and  an  honest  hand  grasp. 
In  the  conference  room  he  made  change  for  the 
humblest  member  with  as  much  delight  as  he  re- 
ported the  total  financial  work  of  the  year. 

"This  element  of  his  character  gave  him  great 
stability.  Nothing  is  stronger  than  love,  and  no 
blast  of  outward  storm  can  move  it  from  its  foun- 
dations. So  he  stood.  Amid  business  reverses 
and  crises,  social  ru]^tures  and  antagonisms,  polit- 
ical heat  and  warfare,  and  all  forms  of  calamity,  he 
stood  as  immovable  as  the  stone  of  an  old  Greek 
god.  His  face  was  towards  the  sunrise,  and  with 
an  unflinching  step  he  went  forward  where  other 
men  stood  paralyzed  in  the  face  of  impending 
dangers.  Such  a  man  is  the  anchor  of  his  age. 
With  arms  thrown  about  the  eternal  rocks,  beholds 
on  amid  sweeping  storms  and  crashing  billows, 
and  saves  a  thousand  men  from  driving,  in  the 
crazed  tiaiidity,  on  rocks  and  reefs.  Who  ever  saw 
William  H.  Branson  surrender  his  cause?  Who 
ever  saw  him  moved  from  his  purposes'::'  Yet, 
who  ever  heard  him  quarrel  with  the  timid  V  His 
great  stand  was  his  appeal  and  his  reproof.     Pull 


26  IN    MEMORTAM. 

of  love,  full  of  faith,  full  of  hope,  full  of  noble  aims, 
full  of  unborn  history,  in  a  moment  this  'good  man' 
has  been  taken  from  us,  but  his  memory  and  in- 
fluences must  abide. 

"  'The  good  man  leaveth  an  inheritance  to  his 
children's  children.'  Science  has  disclosed  no 
subhmer  truth  than  the  conservation  of  forces. 
No  energy  has  been  lost  by  any  change  of  form.  It 
passes  from  form  to  form  in  its  mission  in  the 
material  universe,  and  defies  everywhere  all  forces 
to  destroy  it.  Our  religion  holds  the  same  subhme 
truth  in  a  far  sublimer  realm.  No  good  life  is  ever 
lost.  'By  it,  he  being  dead,  yet  speaketh,'  makes 
righteous  Abel  a  working  force  of  the  centuries 
William  H.  Branson  is  our  heritage. 

"To  hi-^  children  he  leaves  the  inheritance  of  a 
good  man.  Poor  and  mean,  indeed,  is  the  man  who 
does  not  tind  joy  in  a  noble  ancestry.  Mere  titles 
of  the  empty  honors  of  society,  and  patchwork  of 
spurious  political  fame  are  not  to  be  counted.  But 
the  purity  of  hfe,  the  magnanimity  of  spirit,  the 
integrity  of  conscience,  the  record  of  industry,  and 
the  esteem  of  honest  men  is  a  legacy  that  might 
enthuse  an  angel,  and  should  always  give  a  sense 
of  honor  to  descendants.  William  H.  Branson 
lifted  the  family  name.  I  care  not  how  high  it  was 
when  he  was  born,  it  is  higher  since  he  lived.  He 
left  no  suspicion  on  it,  and  those  who  will  answer 
to  it  in  the  future  cannot  blush  because  he  once 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  27 

answered  to  it.     This  is  the  highest  heritage  he 
leaves  his  children. 

"Our  city  must  share  in  this  legacy.  He  left  a 
record  that  has  standard  value  for  every  business 
man  in  our  community,  and  especially  for  the 
young  business  men  of  Durham.  He  began  at 
what  we  call  the  bottom,  and  by  energy  and  integ- 
rity rose  before  middle  life  to  a  success  of  the 
noblest  order.  Those  who  live  along  the  streets  he 
passed  in  going  to  his  places  of  business  will  not 
soon  forget  the  regularity  with  which  his  trips 
were  made.  Death  overtook  him  attending  to 
business.  Let  me  exhort  every  young  business 
man  in  our  midst  to  treasure  the  memory  of  my 
friend,  William  H.  Bi^anson.  His  only  trick  in 
trade  was  the  genius  of  honesty  and  the  fidehty  of 
energy. 

''To  his  church  he  leaves  the  highest  legacy.  Our 
religion  has  its  unanswerable  logic  in  the  purity  of 
its  representatives,  and  to  them  must  the  church 
always  make  its  appeal.  Our  North  Carohna  Meth- 
odism will  hold  the  memory  of  this  good  man  as  a 
sacred  treasure.  He  loved  his  church  and  was 
never  too  absorbed  with  business  to  serve  it.  The 
most  arduous  week's  work  of  the  entire  year  was 
the  one  he  devoted  to  the  Annual  Conference 
session.  Day  and  night  he  labored  on  the  financial 
reports,  and  these  received  the  accurate  attention 
given  to  the  business  of  his  factories.  No  problem 
presented  itself  to  the  church  which  did  not  secure 


28  IN    MEMORTAM. 

his  fullest  interest.  He  loved  the  ministry,  and  by 
every  honorable  token  showed  this  love.  Our  min- 
istry ought  to  receive  a  new  impetus  from  the  life 
of  this  good  man.  The  laity  through  him  have 
been  called  to  an  exalted  life. 

"We  mourn  his  departure,  and  pray  for  the  torn 
hearts  of  the  home  from  which  he  has  been  taken. 
Mysteries  on  mysteries  enter  into  the  movements 
of  the  world,  and  human  thought  is  often  dazed  by 
insoluble  incidents.  We  all  stand  in  the  shadow  of 
such  an  incident.  We  refer  the  revelation  of  it  to 
the  day  of  final  disclosures,  and  w^ait  with  some 
degree  of  patience  for  a  deeper  insight  into  the 
history  of  men. 

"My  painful  duty  at  this  hour  has  been  per- 
formed. I  say  painful  because  my  own  heart  bleeds 
streams  of  sorrow,  and  my  emotions  have  been  hard 
to  control.  William  H.  Branson  was  my  friend.  You 
wall  pardon  me,  while  here  by  the  side  of  his  silent 
form,  I  give  expression  to  personal  feelings.  In 
all  the  days  of  my  joys  and  triumphs  he  was  among 
the  gladdest,  and  amid  all  of  my  struggles  and 
toils,  he  was  among  the  foremost  to  assist.  Taken 
out  of  my  hfe,  and  away  from  my  side,  I  will 
return  to  my  tasks  with  the  feelings  that  they  will 
be  heavier.  When  a  man  is  so  suddenly  and  sorely 
robbed  of  a  member  of  that  inner  circle  upon 
which  he  leans  for  strength,  courage  suffers,  and 
the  sense  of  disappointed  hopes  comes  over  him. 
I  never  planted  a  shrub  or  flower  at  Trinity  Park 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  29 

that  did  not  interest  him  ;  I  never  administered 
any  discipUne  that  did  not  call  out  his  sincerest 
concern,  and  I  never  had  a  dream  of  Trinity's 
growth  that  did  not  enthuse  him.  You  need  not 
be  amazed  when  I  tell  you  that  he  had  the  key  to 
my  inner  thoughts,  and  knew  all  the  plans  of  my 
W'Ork.  He  loved  our  College,  and  we  all  feel  sorely 
the  loss  that  has  come  to  us. 

"This  good  man  has  gone  from  us.  His  face 
was  ever  toward  the  celestial  city,  into  which  he 
has  already  entered.  We  will  soon  put  him  aw^ay 
in  the  silent  tomb,  but  with  assurance  that  on  the 
day  of  final  triumph,  when  the  ascended  Lord  will 
descend  to  claim  the  royalty  of  his  death,  our 
friend  will  come  forth  in  the  glory  of  the  resurrec- 
tion, and  enter  the  kingdom  of  his  Lord,  and  share 
in  all  the  infinitudes  of  its  wealth." 

After  the  services  at  the  church  were  over,  the 
remains  were  taken  to  the  Southern  depot,  wiiere 
a  special  train  was  in  waiting  to  convey  them  to 
Greensboro.  Some  fifty  or  sixty  of  the  friends  of 
the  bereaved  family  accompanied  them  to  Greens- 
boro and  witnessed  the  interment.  The  following 
relatives  and  friends  attended  the  funeral:  J.  A. 
Odell,  George  and  Will  Sergeant,  and  Mr.  Ireland, 
Mrs.  Branson's  father,  B.  E.  Sergeant,  of  Greens- 
boro, and  J.  G.  Brown,  of  Raleigh.  There  were  a 
profusion  of  flowers  contributed  by  friends  of  the 
family.  The  pall  bearers  were:  F.  M.  Sharp, 
John  F.  Wiley,  F.  L.  Fuller,  R.  G.  Jones.  Y.    E. 


30  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Smith,  J.  G.  Brown  and  C.  H.  Ireland.  It  is  said 
that  Mr.  Branson,  wishing  to  see  his  family  left  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  had  insurance  on  his 
life  amounting  to  some  f'^28,000. — Durhaiit  Daily  Sun. 

FLORAL   TRIBUTES. 

The  floral  tributes  were  numerous  and  hand- 
some. Not  only  did  his  neighbors  and  friends  in 
Durham  attest  their  love  and  sympathy  by  strew- 
ing his  "pathway  to  the  tomb"  with  beautiful 
flowers,  many  from  distant  cities  also  gave 
expression  in  a  similar  way  to  the  tender  regard 
they  felt  for  their  loved  and  trusted  friend. 
Besides  innumerable  offerings  of  individuals  in 
Durham  and  other  places,  were  noted  the  following 
designs  sent  by  the  various  institutions  with  which 
he  was  connected : 

Employees  of  the  Fidelity  Bank,  Wreath. 

Employees  Southern  Railway,  Cross. 

Durham  Conservatory  of  Music,  Harp. 

President  and  Faculty  of  Trinity  College,  Cross, 
Heart  and  Anchor,  suspended. 

Faculty  Greensboro  Female  College,  Large 
Boquet  Bride's  Roses. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  31 


FROM  THE  PRESS, 


[  Durham  Daily  Sun.  ] 

A  distressing^  accident  occurred  this  morning 
about  10  o'clock,  at  the  East  Durhaui  Cotton  Mills, 
whereby  two  gentlemen  were  badly  scalded,  and 
are  in  a  very  dangerous  condition. 

Messrs.  W.  H.  Branson  and  J.  C.  Mathes  were 
in  a  pump-house,  that  pumps  water  to  the  engine. 
By  some  means  a  large  steam  pipe,  about  live 
inches  in  diameter,  bursted,  enveloping  these  two 
gentlemen  in  a  cloud  of  scalding  steam. 

Messrs.  Branson  and  Mathes  were  both  badly 
burned.  Mr.  Branson's  injuries  are  thought  to  be 
the  worst.  He  is  badly  scalded  about  the  face, 
head  and  body.  So  badly  was  he  burned  about  the 
face  that  the  skin  peeled  off.  He  also  had  his  hands 
painfully  cut  in  breaking  out  some  glass  in  a  win- 
dow in  an  endeavor  to  call  for  assistance. 

Mr.  Mathes  is  pretty  badly  burned  about  the 
face  and  eyes.  It  is  thought  he  may  lose  his  eye- 
sight. Mathes,  after  an  unsuccessful  effort,  finally 
succeeded  in  getting  the  door  of  the  house  open 
and  made  his  exit  in  this  way. 

So  powerful  was  the  force  of  the  explosion  that 
a  hole  was  blown  through  the  brick   wall  of  the 


32  IN    MEMORIAM. 

house,  about  five  feet  in  diameter.  The  pipe  that 
burst  was  above  the  heads  of  the  two  gentlemen. 
Had  it  been  lower  nothing  could  have  prevented 
them  being  killed  outright. 

As  soon  as  possible,  physicians  were  telephoned 
for,  and  also  trained  nurses  from  the  Watts  Hos- 
pital. Drs.  Manning,  A.  G.  Oarr,  W.  N.  Hicks,  N. 
P.  Boddie  and  other  physicians  reached  the  scene 
as  quickly  as  possible. 

Willing  hands  removed  Mr.  Branson  to  the 
company's  office,  and  Mr.  Mathes  to  his  residence 
near  by.  Physicians  and  nurses  have  not  left 
these  gentlemen  since  the  accident  took  place. 
Everything  is  being  done  that  medical  skill  and 
science  can  suggest  to  alleviate  their  sufferings. 
It  was  a  horrible  accident,  and  the  dangers  these 
men  underwent  while  shut  up  like  rats  in  a  trap,  is 
enough  to  make  one  shudder. 

Ever  since  the  first  news  of  the  accident  reached 
up  town,  inquiries  have  been  frequent  as  to  the 
condition  of  the  two  men  who  were  so  badly 
injured.  The  news  spread  like  wild-fire  this  morn- 
ing, and  the  announcement  fell  like  a  pall  uijon 
many  hearts. 

At  this  writing  both  of  the  injured  men  are  con- 
scious. It  is  impossible  as  yet  to  determine  fully 
the  extent  of  their  injuries. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  33 

[Durhayn  Daily  Sun.] 

When  the  Sun  went  to  press  on  Friday  afternoon, 
Messrs.  W.  H.  Branson  and  J.  C.  Mathes,  who 
were  so  badly  injured  in  the  horrible  accident  that 
occurred  at  the  East  Durham  Cotton  Mills,  were 
conscious.  Mr.  Branson,  who  was  known  to  be 
the  worst  injured,  lived  till  about  5:15  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  when  he  fell  asleep  as  peacefully  as 
a  child,  to  wake  no  more  on  earth. 

Hearts  are  bowed  down  with  grief  and  sorrow 
on  account  of  the  terrific  blow  that  has  fallen. 
The  entire  community  feels  deeply  the  sad 
calamity.  Nothing  in  recent  years  has  occurred 
that  so  shocked  the  people  of  Durham  and  other 
towns.  The  Sim  hardly  knows  how  to  write  of 
such  a  sad,  heart-breaking  occurrence,  and  of  the 
great  and  irreparable  loss  sustained  by  the  death 
of  Mr.  Branson. 

William  H.  Branson  was  about  thirty-nine  years 
of  age.  He  moved  to  Durham  about  thirteen  or 
fourteen  years  ago.  During  his  boyhood  and  early 
manhood  he  clerked  in  a  store  in  Greensboro. 
Afterwards  he  moved  to  Durham  and  took  charge 
of  the  management  of  the  East  Durham  Cotton 
Mills,  which  he  managed  with  great  fidelity,  busi- 
ness ability  and  skill.  Under  his  skilful  and  wise 
guidance,  the  East  Durham  Cotton  Mills  have 
grown  and  prospered  w^onderfully.  So  marked 
has  been  the  growth  of  these  mills,   that  it  was 


34  IN    MEMORIAM. 

deemed  an  imperative  necessity  to  almost  double 
their  capacity.  Besides  having  the  management 
of  these  mills,  Mr.  Branson  was  concerned  in  a 
number  of  other  enterprises,  notably  the  Pearl 
Mills  in  North  Durham,  and  he  was  also  a  stock- 
holder in  the  proposed  new  cotton  mill  at  Rox- 
boro.  He  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  East 
Durham  Cotton  Mills. 

In  addition  to  being  concerned  in  a  number  of 
cotton  mill  enterprises,  he  held  several  i:)Ositions 
of  trust  and  honor  in  other  industries. 

Mr.  Branson  several  years  ago  married  Miss 
Clara  Sergeant,  daughter  of  Mr.  B.  E.  Sergeant, 
a  well  known  and  prominent  manufacturer  of 
Greensboro.  Mrs.  Branson,  with  two  children,  a 
son  and  a  daughter,  survive  him. 

Deceased  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  being  the  leading  member  at  Carr  church. 
East  Durham.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  ol  Trinity  College,  and  held  several 
important  positions  connected  with  church  work. 
He  was  frequently  elected  as  a  delegate  to  District 
and  Annual  Conferences. 

The  following  were  among  those  who  arrived  in 
the  city  this  morning,  having  been  called  here  on 
account  of  Mr.  Branson's  death:  J.  A.  Odell, 
George  and  Will  Sergeant  and  Mr.  Ireland,  of 
Greensboro;  J.  M.  Odell,  of  Concord,  and  Joseph 
G.   Brown,   of  Raleigh.     Mr.   B.   E.   Sergeant,  of 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  35 

Greensboro,  father  of  Mrs.  Branson,  arrived  in 
the  city  last  evening  on  through  freight  train. 

The  funeral  services  were  conducted  this  after- 
noon from  Trinity  Church.  Revs.  Dr.  J.  C.  Kilgo, 
D.  N.  Caviness,  G.  D.  Langston  and  others  partici- 
pated . 

The  following  gentlemen  acted  as  pall- bearers 
and  escorted  the  remains  to  the  Southern  depot, 
where  a  special  train  was  in  w^aiting  to  carry  the 
funeral  party  to  Greensboro:  F.  M.  Sharx)e.  P.  L. 
Fuller,  John  F.  Wily,  R.  G.  Jones,  Y.  E.  Smi^h, 
Jos.  G.  Brown  and  C.  H.  Ireland. 

The  special  train  left  Durham  about  2:50  o'clock 
on  its  journey  to  Greensboro. 

May  a  loving  Heavenly  Father  sustain  the  grief - 
stricken  widow  and  fatherless  children  in  the  well 
nigh  crushing  blow  that  has  descended  upon  them. 

The  sympathies  and  the  prayers  from  hundreds 
of  homes  tnroughout  North  Carolina  go  up  to  Him 
that  doeth  all  things,  that  he  may  give  the  bereaved 
ones  strength  to  bear  up  under  the  heavy  load  of 
anguish  under  which  they  struggle.  They  have 
the  consolation  of  knowing  that  although  their  loved 
one  was  suddenly  snatched  away,  yet  he  was  ready 
to  go  when  the  Master  called  him.  O,  that  we  could 
push  ajar  the  gates  of  life,  stand  within,  and  under- 
stand the  mysteries  of  Providence!  But  we  must 
be  content,  and,  unmurmuring,  pass  under  the  rod 
of  "Him  who  doeth  all  thing-s  well"  accordino^  to 


36  IN    MEMORIAM. 

His  good  pleasure.     We  know  not  now,  and  dare 
not  question,  this  dispensation. 

Farewell,  kind  friend,  citizen  and  Christian  gen- 
tleman May  all  the  bereaved  loved  ones,  relatives, 
friends  and  acquaintances,  strive  to  meet  him  and 
clasp  hands  in  the  beautiful  home  above.  May 
God  keep  and  sustain  those  left  behind  until  they 
shall  all  meet  again  around  the  Master's  great 
white  throne,  there  to  be  an  inseparable  and  un- 
divided gathering  for  ever  and  ever. 


[  DurJuuii  Daily  Sim.  ] 

Upon  the  ideal  union  of  a  beautiful  home  in 
Durham,  a  long,  dark  shadow,  even  the  shadow  of 
death,  has  fallen.  A  devoted  husband  and  father 
has  been  removed — taken  away  so  suddenly — 
fairest  skies  turned  to  darkness  and  songs  to 
silence. 

W.  H.  Branson  is  dead ! 

Calamities  and  death  follow  each  other  like  the 
waves  on  ocean's  beach,  and  overwhelm  us  in  sor- 
row. Earth  has  no  emblem  and  heaven  no  sign, 
save  the  sacrificial  blood  on  Calvary's  rocks,  to 
show  us  one  ray  of  hope  and  cheer  in  the  deep 
gloom  now  hanging  over  our  fair  city. 

Yesterday  morning  two  men,  in  the  strength  of 
vigorous  manhood,  with  no  sorrows  to  fleck  their 
joys,  no  shadows  flitting  across  the  day  that 
dawmed  so  brightly.     Today  one  sleeps  the  last 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  37 

sleep  and  the  other  languishes  upon  a  bed  of  pain, 
between  life  and  death. 

William  Henry  Branson  is  gone.  For  what  pur- 
pose he  was  called  away  in  the  midst  of  his 
splendid  manhood  and  usefulness  we  know  not, 
and  yet  cannot  fully  appreciate  the  fact  that  his 
presence  will  be  seen  among  us  no  more.  The 
whole  community  mourns.  He  will  be  missed  in 
the  church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  in  scatter- 
ing seeds  of  kindness — his  last  act  being  a  donation 
of  a  bolt  of  cloth  to  the  orphans.  He  will  be  missed 
in  our  business  circles  where  he  was  an  energetic 
factor.  He  will  be  missed  as  a  neighbor  by  those 
who  came  under  his  ministrations.  His  memory 
in  the  home,  in  the  affections  of  his  wife  and  the 
hearts  of  his  many  friends  and  relations  will  be 
cherished  with  peculiar  sweetness. 

After  all  he  but  sleeps  ! 

"There  is  no  death!     The  stars  go  down 
To  rise  upon  some  other  shore! 
And  bright  in  heaven's  jeweled  crown 
They  shine  forevermore  !  " 


[  R.  G.  Jones^  in  Durham  Daily  Sun.  ] 

The  sudden  death  of  William  H.  Branson  is  a 
severe  shock  to  those  who  love  and  honor  him.  It 
is  difficult  for  me,  with  the  tumultuous  feelings  of 
the  moment,  to  attempt  a  portrayal  of  this  good 
man.     My   relations  with  him  as  an  employee — 


38  IN    MEMORIAM. 

which  were  for  a  period  of  several  years — were  as 
pleasant  as  one  could  wish,  and  I  consider  it  an 
honor  to  have  associated  with  this  man  of  many 
virtues.  His  walks  and  works  were  such,  that  not 
only  I,  but  all  men  who  knew^  his  golden  worth  of 
heart  and  head,  respected  and  admired  him.  He 
earned  from  me  a  close  friendship  and  a  profound 
admiration.  One  of  the  chief  virtues  of  Mr.  Bran- 
son's character  was  tirmness,  and  a  determination 
to  do  what  he  believed  to  be  right. 

In  his  domestic  relations  as  husband  and  father, 
it  is  difficult  to  speak  of  him  in  moderation.  There 
could  not  be  a  man  more  devoted  to  his  family,  and 
he  was  always  doing  something  to  make  home 
happy.  He  reverenced  w^oman,  and  counted 
among  his  many  friends  noble  women  in  this  and 
other  towns. 

As  a  business  man,  Mr.  Branson  possessed  rare 
genius.  His  indefatigable  energy,  and  high  sense 
of  honor,  won  for  him  the  utmost  confidence  of  his 
associates.  He  was  always  kind  and  respectful  to 
his  subordinates,  and  it  seems  hard  that  he  should 
be  taken  aw^ay  when  life  was  so  bright  and  pros- 
perous. 

W.  H.  Branson,  honest,  dauntless,  doing  his  duty 
as  he  saw  it,  fell  indomitable  at  his  post. 

Let  us  give  his  memory  all  honor.  From  our 
rolls  a  great  name  has  departed  and  a  man  has  gone 
from  our  midst.  Human  thought  has  lost  a  teacher; 
his  friends  and  acquaintances  a  wise  guide. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  39 

[P.,  in  Durham  Daily  Sun.] 
Our  religious  institutions  were  all  well  tilled 
yesterday.  Many  w.^re  the  conversations  as  to 
the  sad  death  of  W.  H^  Branson.  He  was  a  sample. 
He  used  hospitality,  kindness,  and  forbearance  to 
one  another  without  grudging.  He  received  from 
his  birth  the  gift  of  a  gentleman  and  manifested 
the  same  all  through  the  various  multiplications  of 
his  business  hfe,  which  is  too  well  known  for  me  to 
comment  upon.  With  the  most  subordinate  under 
his  jurisdiction  he  was  at  all  times  and  under  all 
circumstances  kind  and  affable.  When  you  met 
him  socially  or  on  business  he  w^ore  a  smile  of 
character  upon  his  countenance,  justly  inviting  all 
to  believe  in  his  integrity  and  justice  to  his  fellow 
man.  He  was  one  of  the  few  men  that  I  never 
heard  ought  against  in  any  particular. 

But  a  few  years  ago,  I  have  it  from  good 
authority,  he  took  hold  of  the  business  oars  of  life 
in  Greensboro,  with  a  steady,  energetic  pull  and 
push  from  that  day  to  the  day  of  his  death.  He 
left  behind  him  a  business  trace  in  life  which  but 
few^  men  can  brag  of.  At  the  bottom  of  the  lad- 
der he  commejiced  a  poor  boy,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  though  young  in  years,  he  stood  amongst 
the  wealthy.  He  w^as  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  his  fellow  men.  Dr.  Kilgo  justly  said  in  his 
eulogistic  words  of  him  that  the  colleges,  the 
churches  and  the  business  institutions  had  lost  help 
in  the  death  of  Mr.  Branson. 


40  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Every  man,  woman  and  child  in  North  Durham, 
coming  under  his  touch,  either  in  business  or 
socially,  will  miss  his  ever  welcoming  smiles. 

The  writer  has  had  live  years  knowledge  of  him 
advisedly  and  in  business  transactions  and  he  was 
ahvays  courteous  and  plain  spoken.  No  one  could 
come  in  close  business  touch  with  Mr.  Branson 
without  loving  and  respecting  him.  We  will  so 
much  miss  his  daily  business  trips  to  our  town. 
"Our  people,"  as  he  used  to  call  those  about  the 
mills,  will  this  morning,  and  every  morning  to 
come,  miss  the  elastic  step,  the  broad  smile  of 
encouragement  he  w^ore  each  morning  through  the 
mills.  May  our  loss  be  his  gain.  His  wife  and 
two  children,  may  the  shadowing^wings  of  angels 
ever  guide  their  pathw^ay  through  life,  and  when 
the  final  morn  shall  dawn  may  they  be  received 
amongst  the  redeemed,  father,  mother,  sister  and 
brother,  all  singing  Hosannah's  to  the  most  high 
God. 


[Raleigh  News  and  ObseiTer.] 

The  news  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Will  H.  Branson, 
by  the  bursting  of  a  steam  pipe  in  the  pump  room 
in  the  East  Durham  Cotton  Mills  yesterday,  carried 
sorrow- and  grief  to  all  parts  of  the  State.  The 
sudden  ending  of  the  life  of  any  good  man  makes 
genuine  regret,  but  when  one  so  widely  known  and 
highly  esteemed  is  thus  removed  from  a  useful  and 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  41 

busy  life,   the  grief  is  as  poignant  as  it  is   wide- 
spread. 

Less  than  forty  years  old,  Mr.  Will  H.  Branson 
had  won  for  himself  high  position  in  North  Carolina 
in  business,  in  his  church  and  in  the  regard  of  his 
fellows.  He  won  it  by  his  ability,  his  industry  and 
his  integrity.  He  was  a  man  of  his  word.  He  was 
true  to  his  promises.  He  was  direct,  straight- 
forward, manly.  As  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
two  of  the  most  prosperous  cotton  mills  in  the 
State,  and  bank  director,  his  place  among  the  first 
business  men  of  Durham  was  established ;  as  trus- 
tee of  Trinity  College,  in  which  institution  he  took 
a  deep  interest,  his  advice  and  counsel  were  sought 
by  his  co-trustees  and  the  faculty;  as  Sunday 
School  superintendent,  steward  of  his  church  and 
treasurer  of  the  North  Carolina  Conference,  he  was 
a  leader  in  Methodist  circles.  In  all  the  relations 
of  life  he  hved  up  to  his  professions,  and  will  be 
missed  by  a  large  circle  of  business  associates  and 
friends.  In  an  ideal  home,  which  was  his  king- 
dom, the  hearts  of  all  who  read  the  sad  news  will 
go  out  in  tender  and  loving  sympathy  that  from 
one  of  hope,  of  light  and  joy,  it  is  suddenly  con- 
verted into  one  of  darkness  and  gloom,  for  its  light 
and  happiness  w^ent  out  when  Will  H.  Branson 
passed  away  yesterday.  The  devoted  wife  and 
children  are  the  objects  of  universal  sympathy, 
and  many  prayers  will  go  up  for  them  in  many 
homes  in  North  CaroUna  that  He  that  doeth  all 


42  IN    MEMORIAM. 

things    well  will   give    them    His    grace  and   His 

strength    in  the    day    of    their   bereavement  and 
anguish. 


The  following  article,  taken  from  the  Neivs  and 
Observer  of  November  28th,  1895,  tells  in  ^Dart  the 
story  of  his  successful  life,  and  shows  the  estimate 
in  which  he  was  held  while  he  lived.  There  is  a 
mournful  pleasure,  now  that  he  is  dead,  in  feeling 
that  he  knew  while  in  health  that  he  was  appre- 
ciated. We  quote  from  the  issue  of  November 
28th,  1895 : 

"Mr.  Branson  was  born  at  Cedar  Falls,  Ran- 
dolph county.  May  the  23rd,  1860.  In  1872  he  went 
to  Greensboro  with  the  hardware  house  of  Odell, 
Ragan  &  Co.,  afterwards  Odell  and  Company,  and 
remained  there  until  1885,  when  he  came  to 
Durham  to  acce^Dt  the  position  of  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing 
Company — he  was  then  only  24  years  old— a  very 
young  man  to  be  called  to  a  position  of  such 
responsibility.  But  he  had  a  wise  head,  had 
shown  high  qualities  as  a  business  man.  was  a  con- 
sistent. God-fearing,  Christian  man,  and  to  these 
high  qualities  he  added  industry  and  old  fashioned 
sense  that  before- the- war  people  called  horse 
sense.  He  had  no  desire  for  those  pleasures  that 
claim  so  large  a  share  in  the  hfe  of  so  many  young 
men  He  knew  life  was  real  and  earnest,  and  it 
was  the  man  who  planned  wisely  and  worked  faith- 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  43 

fully  who  sooner  or  later  got  to  the  top.  He  was 
ambitious  as  a  boy  but  he  had  none  of  the  notoriety- 
seeking  sort  of  ambition.  It  was  an  ambition  that 
sought  the  goal  by  doing  well  every  duty  that  fell 
to  him . 

"'Who  is  the  most  popular  man  in  Durham?' 
was  asked  a  company  of  young  Durhamites  not  a 
great  while  ago.  'Will  Branson.  '  two  or  three 
answered,  and  all  in  the  company  agreed  that  he 
w^as. 

"In  1892 the  Dukes  and  others  planned  to  build  a 
large  cotton  factory.  They  had  not  the  time  to 
give  the  business  their  personal  attention,  and  they 
looked  about  to  find  a  man  of  business  judgment, 
experienced  in  the  cotton  mill  business  and  having 
the  peculiar  talent  necessary  to  make  it  pay.  They 
did  not  have  far  to  look,  and  selected  Mr.  Branson, 
who  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Pearl  Cotton 
Mills,  has  again  demonstrated  his  practical  ability. 

"Where  else,  not  alone  in  North  Carolina,  but  in 
the  United  States,  will  you  find  a  man  just  35  years 
old  secretary  and  treasurer  of  two  such  great  man- 
ufacturies,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  every 
capitalist  and  every  poor  man  in  the  towm  in  which 
he  resides?  You  will  find  a  few  others,  but  in 
almost  every  case  they  are  older  before  they  are 
called  to  such  responsibilities,  or  thej^  are  the  sons 
of  wealthy  men  and  have  had  pecuhar  advantages 
at  the  start.  Mr.  Branson  ow^es  his  present  posi- 
tion chiefly  to  his  own  capacity  and  industry,  the 


44  IN    MEMORIAM. 

friendship  and  assistance  of  wealthy  friends  being 
based  upon  respect  and  regard  for  him  as  a  man, 
and  contidence  in  his  ability  and  integrity. 

In  addition  to  his  dual  duties  as  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  two  great  cotton  factories,  Mr.  Bran- 
son is  a  director  in  the  Durham  Cotton  Manufac- 
turing Company,  the  Pearl  Cotton  Mills  Co.,  the 
Odell  Manufacturing  Company,  in  Concord ;  the 
Kerr  Bag  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Concord; 
the  Greensboro  Female  College  Association;  the 
State  University  Railroad;  Trustee  of  Trinity 
College,  and  director  of  the  Fidelity  Bank,  of 
Durham.  These  positions  show  the  estimate  the 
business  world  puts  upon  Mr.  Branson's  capacity 
and  influence,  and  still  stronger  than  words  i)f  his 
usefulness  to  Durham  and  the  State. 

"But,  busy  man  as  he  is,  Mr.  Branson  is  never 
too  busy  to  find  time  to  take  interest  in  church 
work.  In  addition  to  his  work  in  his  home  church, 
Mr.  Branson,  as  stated  above,  is  a  trustee  of  the 
two  great  colleges  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
Trinity  and  Greensboro,  and  htis  been  treasurer  of 
the  joint  board  of  finance  of  the  North  Carolina 
Conference  since  1889,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the 
General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
C!hurch,  South,  that  met  in  Memphis  in  1894.  Mr. 
Branson  was  married  in  Greensboro,  December  7, 
1885,  to  Miss  Clara  Sergeant.  And,  with  all  the 
business  successes  and  honors  that  have  come  to 
him,  no  man  is  more  devoted  to  his  family.     An 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  45 

all  around  successful,  high-toned,  useful  citizen  is 
W.  H.  Branson.  The  best  wish  for  W.  H.  Branson, 
Jr.,  is  that.he  may  grow  hke  his  father.  " 


[From  report  of  Commencement  of  Trinity  College,  in  Raleigh 
News  and  Obsorer.  ] 

Just  as  the  speaking  ended.  Dr.  Kilgo,  w^ho 
had  been  two  unwell  to  come  out,  entered  and 
received  applause  as  he  took  his  seat  between  Mr. 
W.  Duke  and  Bishop  Duncan.  He  spoke  of  how 
painful  it  had  been  to  him  to  be  compelled  to  absent 
himself  from  the  speaking. 

Meuiorial  services  were  held  in  honor  of  the  late 
W.  H.  Branson.  Dr.  Kilgo  made  the  address.  He 
said  Mr.  Branson  w^as  one  oi  the  few  monumental 
men  who  are  created.  His  absence  is  mourned  on 
every  hand.  He  was  a  clean  man.  No  deed 
needed  to  be  covered.  His  biography  needs  no 
apology.  He  always  thought  himself  right.  No 
unclean  word  or  broad  joke  escaped  him.  That 
virtue  w^as  commended  to  young  men. 

He  had  that  high  type  of  honesty  that  makes  a 
man  the  lover  of  the  truth.  He  was  a  tine  example 
of  a  husband — he  was  united  to  his  wife  in  that 
mystical  union  out  of  the  plan  of  divine  fellowship. 
He  taught  how  to  love  and  make  a  woman  happy. 
He  was  a  good  father,  and  left  the  impress  upon 
the  son  who  bears  his  name  and  countenance.     He 


46  IN    MEMORIAM. 

was  a  man  of  integrity.  He  belonged  to  no  party. 
He  loved  his  friends  intently.  I  felt  honored  by 
his  affection.  He  illustrated  the  truth  that  in  the 
South  young  manhood  has  the  best  tield  for  suc- 
cess. When  he  began  work  as  a  boy  he  had  15 
cents;  he  left  a  comfortable  fortune.  His  means 
showed  what  others  could  do.  He  never  com- 
plained at  conditions  and  never  charged  Providence 
with  being  unkind. 

He  was  built  for  a  hero.  He  was  the  veritable 
image  of  the  statue  of  an  old  Greek  god.  His  life 
cannot  end.  He  has  gone  to  show  the  angels  how 
a  man  can  live  among  the  eternities  and  grace  the 
courts  of  God. 


[  Rdkiylt  Morning  1*(M.  ] 

W.  H.  Branson,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
East  Durham  Cotton  Mill,  is  dead,  and  J.  C. 
Mathes.  general  superintendent  of  the  mill,  is  so 
seriously  injured  that  his  recovery  is  doubtful;  in 
consequence  of  the  bursting  of  a  steam  pipe  in  the 
pump-house  of  the  mill.  The  accident  occurred  at 
10  o'clock  this  morning,  and  Mr.  Branson  lingered 
between  life  and  death  until  5:15  this  afternoon, 
when  he  died.  He  was  scalded  in  the  most  shock- 
ing manner,  and  in  the  interval  between  the 
accident  and  his  death  he  suffered  untold  agony. 

The  two  men  were  in  the  pump-house,  a  small 
brick  structure  detached  from  the  main  building. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  47 

when  a  large  steam  pipe  used  to  carry  steam  from 
the  boilers  to  the  pump,  burst.  This  pipe  was  live 
inches  in  diameter,  and  the  steam  almost  cooked 
the  men  from  head  to  foot  before  they  could  get 
out  of  the  room.  The  little  room  was  really  con- 
verted into  a  steam  box,  and  so  great  was  the 
pressure  that  one  wall  of  the  house  gave  way  and  a 
hole  about  live  by  six  feet  was  torn  through  it. 
This  explosion  relieved  the  pressure  of  steam  and 
saved  the  men  from  seething  to  death  in  the  hot 
steam. 

As  soon  as  the  pipe  burst,  Mr.  Branson  rushed 
to  the  door  and  tried  to  open  it,  but  could  not  on 
account  of  the  pressure.  He  then  ran  to  a  window 
and  knocked  it  out  with  his  fist,  and  in  doing  so 
cut  his  hand  and  arm  in  a  very  painful  manner. 
Mr.  Mathes  then  ran  lo  the  door,  and  the  release 
of  steam  through  the  hole  and  window  made  it  pos- 
sible for  him  to  open  the  door  and  he  ran  out.  Mr. 
Branson  had  his  head  and  shoulders  in  the 
hole  he  had  made  in  the  window,  calling  for  help. 

The  terrible  pressure  in  the  room  is  shown  in 
the  wrecked  building.  When  the  pipe  burst,  the 
wall  in  direct  line  of  the  force  was  the  first  to  give 
way.  The  steam  then  rebounded  across  the  room, 
and  the  wall  on  the  opposite  side  from  where  it 
first  struck  was  cracked  almost  from  top  to  bot- 
tom. The  building  is  of  brick,  and  the  walls  are 
15  or  18  inches  thick. 

As    soon   as    help    could    reach    the    men,    Mr. 


48  IN    MEMORIAM. 

Branson  was  taken  to  the  office  of  the  company  and 
Mr.  Mathes  was  carried  to  his  home  next  door  to 
the  mill,  to  await  the  arrival  of  physicians.  Four 
were  summoned,  and  were  on  the  scene  as  quickly 
as  possible.  Young  lady  nurses  from  Watts  Hos- 
pital were  in  attendance  upon  the  scalded  men 
almost  as  soon  as  the  physicians. 

Late  this  evening  Mr.  Mathes  was  still 
living,  and  hopes  of  his  recovery  were  entertained. 
He  is  barned  terribly  and  is  suffering  the  greatest 
agony.  While  it  is  possible  that  he  may  recover, 
it  is  feared  that  he  will  lose  his  sight.  The  skin 
has  sliiDped  from  his  body  in  many  places. 

William  H.  Branson  had  lived  in  Durham  thirteen 
years,  being  actively  identified  with  the  manufac- 
turing and  business  interests  of  the  city.  His 
connection  with  the  East  Durham  Mill  dated  from 
his  arrival  here.  Later 'he  became  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Pearl  Mill.  He  was  thirty-eight 
years  old. 

In  early  hfe  Mr.  Branson  resided  in  Greensboro 
with  Mr.  J.  A.  Odell.  a  near  relative,  under  whom 
he  received  a  most  excellent  business  training, 
fitting  him  for  the  responsible  position  which  he 
occupied. 

Mr.  Branson  was  an  active  worker  and  leader 
in  the  Methodist  church  since  early  life.  He  was 
treasurer  of  the  North  Carolina  Conference  and  a 
trustee  of  Trinity  College, 

Some    years    ago    Mr.     Branson    was    happily 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  49 

married  to  Clara,  daughter  of  Mr.  B.  E.  Sergeant, 
a  leading  manufacturer  of  Greensboro.  Several 
children  have  blessed  this  marriage. 

Arrangements  for  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Branson 
have  not  been  made,  but  will  be  announced  after 
the  arrival  of  relatives  from  Greensboro  and 
Concord. 


[  Concord  Standayd.  ] 

A  horrible  accident  occurred  at  a  cotton  mill  at 
Durham,  Friday  before  noon,  when  a  pipe  coming 
from  a  newly  erected  pump  burst,  filling  the  room 
in  which  Mr.  W.  H.  Branson  and  superintendent 
Mathes  were  in  with  steam.  So  full  of  steam  was 
the  room  that  the  door  could  not  be  opened.  Mr. 
Branson,  during  his  suffering  in  the  room,  broke 
out  a  window  glass  and  called  for  help.  At  last  the 
wall  on  one  side  of  the  building  broke  and  let  out 
the  steam,  but  it  was  too  late  to  save  the  life  of 
Mr.  Branson,  whose  body  was  bad^.y  scalded.  He 
died  that  afternoon  a  few  minutes  after  five  o'clock. 
The  condition  of  the  superintendent  was  reported 
very  serious  on  Friday  night. 

The  sad  news  in  regard  to  Mr.  Branson  came 
here  that  day,  several  dispatches  having  been 
received  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Odell  at  different  times. 
Besides  being  a  shock  to  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances, the  death  rests  heavily  on   the  families  of 


50  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Messrs.  J.  M.  and  W.  R.  Odell.  Mrs.  Branson  is 
a  sister  to  Mrs.  W.  R.  Odell,  and  the  love  and  care 
of  almost  a  father  has  been  bestowed  upon  the 
deceased  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Odell. 

Mr.  Branson  was  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
mill  men  of  our  State  and  he  held  a  position  which 
will  be  a  hard  one  for  his  successor  to  fill. 


[  Concord  Times.  ] 

On  last  Friday  morning,  Mr.  W.  H.  Branson, 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  East  Durham 
Cotton  Mill,  met  his  death  in  a  most  horrible 
manner  by  the  bursting  of  a  steam  pipe  in  the 
mill.  Superintendent  J.  C.  Mathes,  who  was  with 
him  was  also  badly  scalded.  The  following  par- 
ticulars are  taken  from  a  special  dated  Friday  to 
the  Raleigh  Post  : 

"The  accident  occurred  at  10  o'clock  this  morn- 
ing, and  Mr.  Branson  lingered  between  life  and 
death  until  5:15  this  afternoon,  when  he  died.  He 
was  scalded  in  the  most  shocking  manner,  and  in 
the  interval  between  the  accident  and  his  death  he 
suffered  untold  agony. 

"The  two  men  were  in  the  pump  house,  a  small 
brick  structure  detached  from  the  main  building, 
when  a  large  steam  2:)ipe  used  to  carry  steam  from 
the  boilers  to  the  pump,  burst.  This  pipe  was  five 
inches  in  diameter,  and  the  steam  almost  cooked 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  51 

the  men  from  head  to  foot  before  they  could  get 
out  of  the  room.  The  httle  room  was  really  con- 
verted into  a  steam  box,  and  so  great  was  the 
pressure  that  one  wall  of  the  house  gave  way  and  a 
hole  about  five  by  six  feet  was  torn  through  it. 
This  explosion  relieved  the  pressure  of  steam  and 
saved  the  men  from  seething  to  death  in  the  hot 
steam . 

"As  soon  as  the  pipe  burst,  Mr.  Branson  rushed 
to  the  door  and  tried  to  open  it,  but  could  not  on 
account  of  the  pressure.  He  then  ran  to  a  window 
and  knocked  it  out  with  his  fist,  and  in  doing  so 
cut  his  hand  and  arm  in  a  very  painful  manner. 
Mr.  Mathes  then  ran  to  the  door,  and  the  release 
of  steam  through  the  hole  and  window  made  it  pos- 
sible for  him  to  open  the  door  and  he  ran  out.  Mr. 
Branson  had  his  head  and  shoulders  in  the 
hole  he  had  made  in  the  window,  calling  for  help. 

'^The  terrible  pressure  in  the  room  is  shown  in 
the  wrecked  building..  When  the  pipe  burst,  the 
wall  in  direct  line  of  the  force  was  the  first  to  give 
way.  The  steam  then  rebounded  across  the  room, 
and  the  wall  on  the  opposite  side  from  where  it 
first  struck  was  cracked  almost  from  top  to  bot- 
tom. The  building  is  of  brick,  and  the  walls  are 
15  or  18  inches  thick.  " 

Mr.  Branson  was  well  known  in  Concord  and  all 
over  the  State.  He  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr. 
W.  R.  Odell,  their  wives  being  sisters.  He  was  38 
years  old,  and  had  lived  in  Durham  thirteen  years. 


52  IN    MEMOKIAM. 

He  was  also  secretary,  and  treasurer  of  the  Pearl 
Mills  at  Durham,  and  held  other  positions  of  honor 
and  trust.  He  was  treasurer  of  the  North  Cai-olina 
Conference  and  a  trustee  of  Trinity  College.  He 
was  also  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School  at 
Carr's  Methodist  church  in  East  Durham.  He  was 
a  genial  and  popular  man,  and  few  men  gave  prom- 
ise of  greater  usefulness.  He  was  in  Concord  just 
a  week  before  the  sad  ending  of  his  life,  and  was 
then  the  picture  of  health  and  vigorous  manhood. 

Mr.  Branson  leaves  a  wife  and  two  children  w^ho 
have  the  tenderest  sympathy  of  a  large  number  of 
friends  all  over  the  State.  The  funeral  services 
were  conducted  at  Trinity  Church.  Durham,  on 
Saturday,  by  Dr.  Kilgo  and  others.  The  remains 
were  taken  to  Greensboro  by. special  train  for  in- 
terment. Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Odell  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  R.  Odell,  of  Concord,  attended  the  funeral. 
Mr.  Branson  carried  life  insurance  to  the  amount 
of  130,000. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Mathes,  who  was  also  scalded  in  the 
fearful  explosion,  is  getting  on  well  and  will  re- 
cover. The  physicians  think  that  his  eyes  will  be 
saved. 


[  The  Charlotte  Ohsen-er.  ] 

A  terrible  accident  happened  .at  East  Durham 
this  morning,  a  few  minutes  xmst  10  o'clock,  and 
as    a  result  Mr,   W.   H.   Branson,   secretary  and 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  53 

treasurer  of  the  East  Durham  Cotton  Mill  and  the 
Pearl  Cotton  Mill,  is  dead,  and  Mr.  J.  C.  Mathes, 
general  superintendent  of  the  East  Durham  Mill, 
may  lose  his  life.  Mr.  Branson  lingered  until  the 
late  afternoon.  They  were  in  the  pump  room,  a 
small  brick  structure,  when  a  five-inch  steam  pipe 
burst  and  they  were  scalded  in  a  fearful  manner. 
In  fact,  both  of  the  men  were  burned  all  over  the 
body.  The  skin  was  peeled  off  in  many  places  and 
the  attending  physicians  said  at  the  outset  that 
they  were  in  a  serious  condition. 

Messrs.  Branson  and  Mathes  had  gone  into  the 
pump  room  to  look  after  the  pump,  which  was  a 
new  one.  When  the  steam  was  turned  on  the  large 
pipe  burst,  filling  the  room  with  steam  and  scald- 
ing the  men  as  above  described.  The  experience 
these  men  passed  through  is  one  of  horror.  When 
the  pipe  burst  the  small  room  was  really  converted 
into  a  steam  chest,  and  so  great  was  the  pressure 
that  the  door  to  the  room  could  not  be  opened. 
Mr.  Branson  first  tried  to  get  out  in  that  way  but 
finding  that  he  could  not  open  the  door  he  ran  to  a 
window  and  knocked  it  out  with  his  fist.  In  the 
meantime  the  pressure  of  the  steam  was  so  great 
that  one  of  the  walls  gave  way  and  a  hole  was  torn 
through  it  about  five  by  six  feet  in  size.  This 
allowed  the  steam  to  escape  and  Mr.  Mathes 
opened  the  door  and  ran  out.  Mr.  Branson  had 
his  head  and  shoulder  through  the  opening  he  had 
made  in  the  window  and  was  calling  for  help.    The 


54  IN    MEMORIAM. 

walls  of  the  building  were  of  brick  and  about  15 
or  18  inches  thick.  The  wall  opposite  to  where  the 
explosion  occurred  was  cracked  almost  from  bot- 
tom to  top. 

Mr.  Branson  was  carried  to  the  office  of  the 
company  and  Mr.  Mathes  removed  to  his  home  not 
far  away.  Physicians  were  soon  on  the  scene  and 
together  with  nurses  from  the  Watts'  Hospital  and 
loving  relatives  and  friends  everything  possible 
was  done  to  relieve  the  suffering  of  both  men. 

Physicians  this  afternoon,  before  Mr.  Branson's 
death,  said  that  both  men  were  burned  all  over  the 
body  and  that  their  condition  was  serious.  It  was 
then  thought  that  Mr.  Mathes  and  probably  Mr. 
Branson  would  lose  their  eyesight  at  all  events. 

If  the  wall  to  the  building  had  not  given  away  it 
is  thought  that  both  men  would  have  been  cooked 
alive  before  they  could  have  been  rescued  from  the 
trap  in  which  they  were  caught. 

Later.  —  Mr.  Branson  died  at  5:15  this  after- 
noon, after  considerable  suffering.  He  was  38  years 
old,  had  resided  in  Durham  thirteen  years  and 
leaves  a  wife  and  two  children.  No  arrangements 
have  been  made  for  the  funeral  yet. 

Mr.  Branson  was  related  to  the  Odells,  of  Concord 
ana  Greensboro,  and  the  family  is  awaiting  their 
arrival. 

At  8:40  o'clock  tonight  Mr.  Mathes  is  some  better 
and  there  are  hopes  of  his  recovery,  though  he  is 
not  out  of  danger  yet. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  55 

Mr.  E.  M.  Andrews,  who  is  a  brother-in-law  of 
Mr.  Branson,  received  the  following  telegram  late 
yesterday  afternoon: 

"Mr.  Branson  was  scalded  this  morning-  and  died  this 
afternoon  at  5:15  o'clock. 

"Durham  Cotton  Mfg.  Co." 


[  The  Charlotte  Observer.  ] 

The  remains  of  the  late  and  lamented  Mr.  W.  H. 
Branson  were  taken  to  Greensboro  this  afternoon 
on  a  special  train  for  interment.  The  funeral  train 
left  Durham  at  3  o'clock  and  there  were  about  50  in 
the  funeral  party,  including  the  pall  and  floral 
bearers,  ministers,  relatives  and  friends.  The 
train  returned  to  Durham  tonight. 

The  funeral  service  was  conducted  from  Trinity 
Methodist  church  this  afternoon  at  1  o'clock.  The 
service  was  conducted  by  his  pastor,  Rev.  D.  N. 
Caviness,  of  East  Durham;  Dr.  Jno.  C  Kilgo,  pres- 
ident of  Trinity  College;  Dr.  E.  A.  Yates,  Presiding 
Elder  of  this  district,  and  others.  Dr.  Kilgo  made 
the  funeral  remarks  and  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to 
the  life  and  work  of  Mr.  Branson.  Rev.  Mr. 
Caviness  read  the  first  lesson  and  Dr.  Yates  the 
second.  Several  beautiful  songs  were  rendered 
by  Messrs.  J.  H.  Southgate  and  Prof.  Hamaker; 
Mesdames  Mattie  Jones  and  C.  W.  Toms,  and  Miss 
Bessie  Whi taker. 


56  IN    MEMORIAM. 

The  pall  bearers  were  Messrs.  J.  H.  Southgate, 
F.  M.  Sharpe,  R.  G.  Jones,  Y.  E.  Smith,  F.  L. 
Fuller,  and  J.  F.  Wily,  of  Durham,  Mr.  C.  H. 
Ireland,  of  Greensboro,  and  Mr.  J.  G.  Brown,  of 
Raleigh.  The  floral  bearers  were  Messrs.  Otis 
Smoot,  J.  W.  Goodson,  M.  W.  Reed,  R.  L.  Wharton, 
H.  B.  CJraven,  Ed.  Pugh,  Macon  Alston,  Dr.  W.  P. 
Few  and  Prof.  R.  L.  Flowers. 

Durham  is  in  mourning  today.  Mr.  Branson 
was  loved  by  all,  from  the  laborer  to  the  million- 
aire, and  his  tragic  death  has  touched  every  heart. 
The  grief- stricken  wife  and  little  ones  have  the 
sympathy  of  all  our  people. 

Mr.  Branson  carried  considerable  insurance  on 
his  life.  Among  the  loolicies  was  one  in  the  Penn 
Mutual  for  ^10,000;  a  policy  in  the  Provident 
Savings  and  Equitable  for  ff  13,000;  and  an  accident 
policy  in  the  Fidelity  and  Casualty  for  |^5,000. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Mathes,  who  passed  through  the 
ordeal  of  steam  with  Mr.  Branson  is  still  living, 
and  there  are  hopes  for  his  recovery.  He  rested 
quietly  all  of  today  and  his  physicians  have  hopes 
of  saving  his  life.  He  was  burned  in  a  fearful 
manner  and  has  suffered  agonies  since  the  terrible 
accident.  His  eyes  are  still  closed,  and  as  yet  it  is 
imx^ossible  to  say  whether  he  will  lose  his  eyesight 
or  not.  His  friends  and  relatives  all  hope  for  the 
best,  and  they  have  some  hope  that  his  eyesight 
may  be  saved,  and  that  he  will  be  restored  to 
health  again. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  57 

[The  Ch  a  tint  If  Obscrirr.] 

That  was  a  shocking'  occurrence  yesterday  at 
Durham,  by  which  Mr.  W.  H.  Branson,  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing 
Comi)any  and  of  the  Pearl  Cotton  Mills,  lost  his  life. 
Mr.  Branson  was  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful 
nijen  in  the  State  and  his  tragic  death  is  an  event  to 
be  deplored,  on  his  family's  account,  first,  but  not 
on  its  account  alone,  but  likewise  for  the  sake  of  the 
interests  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  of  the 
State,  of  which  he  was  so  good  a  citizen. 


[  The  Gycenshoro  Evening  Telegram.  ] 

A  telegram  to  Mr.  J.  A.  Odell  about  noon  today 
brought  the  sad  news  to  his  many  friends  in 
this  city  that  Mr.  W.  H.  Branson  had  been 
badly  burned.  In  what  manner  the  accident 
occurred  is  not  stated.  The  news  that  his  con- 
diticm  is  critical  brings  sorrow  enough  without 
reciting  the  harrowing  details.  He  is  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Durham  Cotton  Mills,  and 
Mr.  Matnes.  the  superintendent,  was  also  burned. 
The  following  is  the  tirst  message  received  : 

"Mr.  Branson  and  Mr.  Mathes  have  been  badly  bm-ned. 
We  have  a  doctor  and  trained  nurse  dressing-  their  wounds. 
"Durham  Cotton  Mills  Co." 


58  IN    MEMORIAM. 

A  second  message  in  answer  to  enquiry  by  Mr. 
Odell  was  as  follows  : 

"Mr.  Branson  burnt  neai'ly  all  over  the  surface  of  his 

body.     His  condition  is  critical. 

"Mrs.  Branson." 

The  Telegram  earnestly  hopes  Mr.  Branson's 
injuries  are  not  as  serious  as  is  now  feared.  Many 
earnest  prayers  will  go  up  for  both  the  unfor- 
tunate victims  of  the  cruel  blaze. 


[The  Greensboro  Evening  Telegram.] 

Verily,  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death. 
Only  two  or  three  days  ago  we  met  Mr.  W.  H. 
Branson  on  the  streets  of  Greensboro,  in  good 
health,  handsome  in  the  bloom  and  prime  of  man- 
hood, vigorous  and  full  of  Hfe;  we  can  still  hear  his 
voice  as  he  cordially  greeted  us.  Today  that  fine 
form  lies  cold  in  death,  that  voice  is  hushed,  and 
that  heart,  ever  big,  loyal  and  true,  is  still.  Our 
news  columns  yesterday  told  of  his  fatal  burning, 
yet  we  dared  to  express  the  hope  that  he  would  get 
well. 

We  had  enjoyed  a  personal  acquaintance  with 
him  for  only  a  few  months;  but  we  knew  him  to 
love  him.  He  was  our  friend.  A  man  with  con- 
victions and  the  manhood  to  stand  by  and  express 
them.  Frank,  positive,  honest  to  a  fault.  Bold 
and  aggressive  to  a    degree   that   could    but   be 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  59 

adniirecl  by  those  who  did  not  think  with  him,  he 
was  a  true  friend  to  his  church  and  loyal  to  all  her 
institutions.  This  fact  will  tower  with  his  other 
virtues  and  ever  be  a  bright  and  shining  monu- 
ment to  his  memory. 

Good,  noble  friend,  farewell!  May  the  God  of 
men  and  nations  comfort,  console  and  sup^Dort,  in 
this  sad  hour  of  darkest  and  deepest  earthly 
affliction,  the  bereft  widow  and  dear  little  children. 


[  Greensboro  Daily  Record.  ] 

Mr.  J.  A.  Odell  received  a  telegram  from  the 
Durham  Cotton  Mill  Company  a  little  after  12  today 
saying  that  Mr.  Branson  and  Mr.  Mathes,  who  are 
the  secretary  and  treasurer  and  superintendent  of 
the  mill,  had  been  badly  burned  and  that  a  physi- 
cian and  a  trained  nurse  were  in  attendance. 

The  wire  came  too  late  for  Mr.  Odell  to  catch  the 
noon  train  and  he  at  once  wired  Mrs.  Branson,  her 
answer  being  that  the  whole  surface  of  Mi-.  Bran- 
son's body  was  badly  burned  and  he  w^as  in  a 
critical  condition. 

Mr.  Odell  can  only  conjecture  how  the  accident 
occurred,  but  thinks  it  was  caused  by  escaping 
steam  while  moving  a  small  engine.  He  will  go 
down  tonight. 

Mr.  Branson  lived  here  a  number  of  years,  mar- 
rying a  daughter  of  Mr.  B.  E.  Sergeant,  and,  though 


60  IN    MEMORIAM. 

living  in  Durham  in  recent  years,  he  is  almost  con- 
sidered a  resident  of  Greensboro,  his  relationshi})s 
and  business  calling  him  here  often. 

Great  anxiety  is  felt  here  over  the  result,  for 
any  kind  of  a  burn  is  painful  and  when  the  entire 
body  is  involved  his  sufferings  must  be  intense, 
though  he  is  in  the  prime  of  life,  strong  and  vigo- 
rous, and  his  friends  hope  for  more  cheering  news. 


[  Greensboro  Daily  Becord.  ] 

Mr.  W.  H.  Branson,  who  met  with  a  most  painful 
accident,  as  related  yesterday,  lingered  until  5:15 
yesterday  afternoon,  when  death  relieved  his 
suffering. 

Mr.  Mathes,  superintendent  of  the  mill,  also 
injured  badly,  is  still  living,  but  with  little  hope  of 
recovery. 

The  news  was  received  yesterday  afternoon  too 
late  to  get  any  particulars  of  how  the  accident 
occurred,  but  the  story  is  told  today  by  the  Raleigh 
Post,  from  which  this  extract  is  made: 

"The  tw^o  men,  Mr.  Branson  and  Mr.  Mathes, 
were  in  the  pump  house,  a  small  structure 
detached  from  the  main  building,  when  a  large 
steam  pipe  used  to  carry  steam  from  the  boilers 
to  the  pumx),  burst.  This  pipe  was  live  inches  in 
diameter,  and  the  steam  almost  cooked  the  men 
from  head  to  foot  before  they  could  get  out  of  the 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  61 

room.  The  little  room  was  really  converted  into  a 
steam  box,  and  so  great  was  the  pressure  that  one 
wall  of  the  house  gave  way  and  a  hole  about  live  by 
six  feet  was  torn  through  it.  This  explosion  re- 
lieved the  pressure  of  steam  and  saved  the  men 
from  seething  to  death  in  the  hot  steam. 

"As  soon  as  the  pij^e  burst  Mr.  Branson  rushed 
to  the  door  and  tried  to  open  it,  but  could  not  on 
account  of  the  pressure.  He  then  ran  to  a  window 
and  knocked  it  out  with  his  fist,  and  in  doing  so  cut 
his  hand  and  arm  in  a  very  painful  manner.  Mr. 
Mathes  then  ran  to  the  door  and  the  release  of 
steam  through  the  hole  and  the  window  made  it 
possible  for  him  to  oi)en  the  door  and  he  ran  out. 
Mr.  Branson  had  his  head  and  shoulders  in  the 
hole  he  had  made  in  the  window,  calling  for  help. 

"The  terrible  pressure  in  the  room  is  shown  in 
the  wrecked  building.  When  the  pipe  burst  the 
wall  in  direct  line  of  the  force  was  the  first  to  give 
way.  The  steam  then  rebounded  across  the  room 
and  the  wall  on  the  opposite  side  from  where  it 
iirst  struck  was  cracked  almost  from  top  to  bot- 
tom. The  building  is  of  brick,  and  the  walls  are 
15  or  18  inches  thick. 

"As  soon  as  help  could  reach  the  men,  Mr. 
Branson  was  taken  to  the  office  of  the  company, 
and  Mr.  Mathes  was  carried  to  his  home  next  door 
to  the  mill,  to  await  the  arrival  of  his  physicians. 
Pour  men  were  summoned  and  were  on  the  scene 
as  quickly  as  possible.     Young  lady  nurses  -from 


62  IN    MEMORTAM. 

Watt's    hospital    were    in    attendance    upon    the 
scalded  men  almost  as  soon  as  the  physicians. 

"Late  this  evening  Mr.  Mathes  was  still  living, 
and  hopes  of  his  recovery  were  entertained.  He  is 
burned  terribly  and  is  suffering  the  greatest 
agony.  While  it  is  possible  that  he  may  recover,  it 
is  feared  that  he  will  lose  his  sight.  The  skin  has 
slipped  from  his  body  in  many  places." 

News  of  the  accident  was  received  here  with 
expressions  of  deep  regret,  for,  as  remarked  in 
yesterday's  Becord  Mr.  Branson  is  a  Greensboroite, 
though  living  in  Durham  for  the  past  fifteen  years, 
and  number  as  his  warm  friends  all  w^ho  know 
him.  He  was  born  at  Cedar  Falls,  in  Randolph 
county,  March  23rd,  1860,  and  came  to  Greensboro 
in  1872,  soon  taking  a  position  with  the  wholesale 
and  retail  dry  goods  firm  of  Odell,  Ragan  &  Co., 
w^here  he  remained  until  1885,  the  firm  in  the 
meantime  going  out  of  business  and  the  Odell 
Hardware  Company  talking  its  place,  &c.  He  w^as 
a  half-brother  to  Mrs.  J.  A.  Odell,  of  this  place, 
making  his  home  with  the  family  until  he  accepted 
the  i)osition  of  secretary  and  treasurer  oi  the  Dur- 
ham Cotton  Mill,  at  Durham.  He  was  happily 
married  to  Miss  Clara  Sergeant  before  his  depart- 
ure from  Greensboro  and  leaves  a  devoted  wnfe 
and  two  children,  w^hose  grief  is  past  describing. 

Mr.  Branson  was  an  active  worker  and  leader  in 
the  Methodist  church,  which  he  joined  in  early  life. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  63 

He    was    also    treasurer    of    the    North   CaroUna 
Conference  and  a  trustee  of  Trinity  College. 

Mr.  Odell  and  Mr.  B.  E.  Sergeant  caught  a 
freight  yesterday  afternoon  after  receiving  news 
of  his  death  and  reached  Durham  last  night  about 
10  o'clock.  This  morning  Messrs.  Geo.  S.  and 
W.  T.  Sergeant,  brothers-in-law,  and  Mr.  C.  H. 
Ireland  went  down.  A  number  of  other  relatives 
and  friends  were  at  the  station  intending  to  go, 
but  learning  the  interment  would  be  in  Greensboro 
did  not  do  so.  Mr.  W.  R.  Odell,  who  married  a 
sister  to  Mr.  Branson,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Odell, 
came  through  from  Concord  on  the  11:15  train  last 
night. 

Funeral  services  were  conducted  in  Durham 
this  p.  m.,  and  the  body  arrived  here  on  a  special 
train  this  afternoon  at  five,  and  w^as  taken  at  once 
to  Green  Hill. 

Quite  a  number  of  friends  accompanied  the 
remains  from  Durham. 


[  Greensboro  Daily  Record.  \ 

Through  a  drizzling  rain  the  body  of  William  H. 
Branson  was  brought  to  Greensboro,  as  related, 
and  buried  Saturday  afternoon.  Over  fifty  friends 
from  Durham  accompanied  the  remains,  returning 
on  the  special  after  the  ceremonies  were  over. 

Flowers  covered  everything,  these  beautiful  but 


64  IN    MEMORIAM. 

silent  tokens  of  love,  telling  far  better  than  words 
the  esteem  and  love  of  his  legion  of  friends. 

Mr.  Branson  was  a  prudent  and  safe  man,  not 
only  in  the  business  in  which  he  w^as  engaged,  but 
he  looked  ahead  and  prepared,  not  only  for  his  own 
salvation  in  the  world  to  come,  but  for  the  earthly 
comfort  of  his  wife  and  children,  should  he  be 
called  away. 

It  will  never  perhaps  be  known  beyond  a  doubt 
what  caused  the  steam  pipe  to  break,  catching  the 
men  in  a  veritable  trap  of  death,  but  Mr.  Geo.  S. 
Sergeant,  brother  to  -Mrs.  Branson,  and  engaged 
for  a  number  of  years  in  the  machine  business, 
says  he  thinks  it  was  caused  by  a  defective  "T" 
at  a  joint.  The  smallest  defect  would-  have  caused 
the  break,  and  as  a  "T"  is  acknowledged  to  be 
the  weakest  of  all  joints.  Mr.  Sergeant  thinks  this 
is  the  cause. 

The  house,  or  room,  in  which  it  occurred,  had 
just  been  built  for  the  use  of  a  large  pump  and  the 
first  thought  was  that  the  sudden  turning  on  of 
the  steam  had  blown  out  the  cylinder  head  of  the 
pump,  but  this  was  not  the  case,  for  it  is  still 
intact. 

Mrs.  Branson,  while  she  has  not  yet  of  course 
made  up  her  mind,  will  probably  make  Green sboi-o 
her  home,  for  here  live  her  father,  mother  and 
brothers,  and  it  is  the  home  of  her  childhood.  Of 
course  she  has  warm  friends  in  Durham,  but  it  is 
natural  she  should  prefer  Greensboro. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  65 

[  Textile  Exxielsior.  ] 

A  fearful  accident  occurred  on  Friday  morning, 
March  24th,  at  10  o'clock,  at  the  factory  of  the 
Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing  Company,  which 
is  situated  in  East  Durham,  N.  C,  one  gentleman 
receiving  severe  scalds  which  resulted  in  death  a 
few  hours  later.  W.  H.  Branson,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  company,  and  J.  C.  Mathes,  gen- 
eral superintendent,  were  in  the  pump  house  that 
supplies  water  for  the  engines  that  run  the  mills. 
A  five-inch  pipe,  in  which  steam  had  just  been 
turned,  bursted  with  terrific  force,  throwing  scald- 
ing water  and  steam  all  over  the  room,  making 
the  place  a  veritable  cauldron  and  seething  hell. 
Before  either  of  the  two  gentlemen  could  get  out 
they  were  horribly  burned  all  over  the  body.  Mr. 
Branson  lingered  until  5:15  o'clock  that  afternoon, 
when  his  soul  returned  to  the  God  who  gave  it. 
Mr.  Mathes,  while  painfully  and  almost  fatally 
burned,  is  improving.  It  is  thought  that  he  will 
recover,  but  if  so  will  be  disfigured  for  life. 

A  brief  sketch  of  Mr.  Branson,  whose  horrible 
death  fell  as  a  pall  over  the  people  of  Durham  and 
other  towns,  may  not  be  amiss  just  at  this  time. 

William  Henry  Branson  was  born  at  Cedar  Palls, 
Randolph  county,  North  Carohna,  May  23,  1860. 
In  1872,  at  the  age  of  12  years,  he  went  to  Greens- 
boro, taking  a  position  with  the  hardware  house  of 
Odell,  Ragan  &  Company,  which  firm  afterwards 


66  IN    MEMORIAM. 

changed  to  Odell  &  Company.  He  remained  there 
until  1885,  when  he  came  to  Durham  to  accept  the 
position  of  secretary  and  treasurer  ot  the  Durham 
Cotton  Manufacturing  Company.  At  that  time  he 
was  24  years  old,  a  very  young  man  to  be  called  to 
a  position  of  such  responsibility.  But  his  was  a 
wise  head;  as  a  business  man  he  posessed  the 
highest  qualities;  he  was  a  consistent,  God-fearing 
Christian  man;  added  to  all  these  qualities  was 
industry  and  what  is  termed  "horse  sense.  "  Life 
was  real,  life  was  earnest  with  him.  He  planned 
wisely  and  worked  faithfully.  His  ambition  sought 
the  goal  of  doing  well  every  duty  that  fell  to  him. 


[Rakigli  Christian  Advocnte.^ 

On  last  Friday  morning,  March  24,  the  news 
w^ent  over  the  city  of  Durham  and  throughout  the 
State,  that  William  H.  Branson  had  been  seriously 
scalded  by  steam  from  a  pipe  which  had  burst. 
The  details  of  the  accident  were  harrowing  in  the 
extreme.  Mr.  J.  C.  Mathes,  superintendent  of 
Durham  Cotton  Mills,  of  which  Brother  Branson 
w^as  secretary  and  treasurer,  suffered  also  from 
the  explosion.  Shut  up  as  these  two  men  were,  in 
a  little  brick  room  filled  with  escaping  steam 
strong  enough  to  prevent  the  opening  of  the  door, 
and  finally  to  blow  a  large  hole  in  the  wall,  it  is 
strange  that  they  lived  an  hour  afterward.     Mr. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  67 

Mathes  still  lives,  but  Mr.  Branson,  after  suffering 
hours  of  agony,  died  about  5  o'clock  Friday 
afternoon. 

His  death  is  one  of  the  saddest  mysteries  among 
the  permissive  acts  of  Providence.  So  brave,  so 
tender,  true  and  kind  to  others,  his  dying  couch 
was  one  of  pain.  In  the  full  flush  of  young  man- 
hood, he  met  the  dread  messenger.  But  we  knew 
his  heart  and  hfe,  and  we  know  all  is  well.  William 
H.  Branson  so  lived  that  he  was  ready  at  all  times 
and  under  all  circumstances  to  answer  "Here!"  to 
the  call  of  the  Master.  We  know  where  he  is.  We 
shall  know  where  to  find  him  when  we  have  joined 
the  "great  majority. " 

We  do  not  wish  to  anticipate  his  biographer,  but 
we  give  a  short  history  of  his  life : 

He  was  born  at  Cedar  Falls,  Randolpli  county, 
May  23,  1860.  He  was  with  a  hardware  company 
in  Greensboro  from  1872  until  1885,  when  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Clara  Sergeant,  of  Greensboro, 
and  went  to  Durham  to  be  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Durham  Manufacturing  Company,  in  which 
capacity  he  acted  up  to  the  day  of  his  death. 

In  addition  to  his  duties  as  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  two  great  cotton  manufactories,  Mr. 
Branson  was  director  ,  in  the  Durham  Manufac- 
turing Company,  the  Pearl  Cotton  Mills  Company, 
the  Odell  Manufacturing  Company,  in  Concord ;  the 
Kerr  Bag  Manufacturing  Company,  Concord;  the 
Greensboro  Female  College;  the  State  University 


68  IN    MEMORIAM. 

railroad ;  trustee  of  Trinity  College,  and  director  of 
the  Fidelity  Bank.  Durham. 

Brother  Branson  was  a  business  man  of  unusual 
ability.  This  ability  he  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South,  of  which 
he  was  a  devoted  member.  He  served  as  treasurer 
of  the  Joint  Board  of  Finance  of  the  North  Carolina 
Conference  since  1889.  In  this  capacity  he  did 
arduous  work.  His  brethren  delighted  to  honor 
him  to  the  electing  him  to  the  District,  Annual  and 
General  Conferences.  In  Durham,  as  elsewhere, 
Brother  Branson  was  universally  popular.  People 
loved  him  because  he  was  loving.  His  death  has 
saddened  the  whole  community.  We  have  few  like 
him.  Yet  we  thank  our  Heavenly  Father  for  the 
work  w^hich  he  has  already  wrought  and  the 
memory  which  will  remain  fresh  and  green 
during  the  passing  years. 

He  was  laid  to  rest  on  Saturday  afternoon  in  the 
beautiful  Green  Hill  Cemetery  at  Greensboro.  For 
the  stricken  wife  and  children  we  implore  the 
comfort  and  protection  of  the  Spirit.  They  have 
the  sympathy  and  prayers  of  all  true  hearts. 


[D.  N.  Cavinesfi,  in  Baleigh  Cluistian  Advocate.] 

William  H.  Branson  was  born  at  Cedar  Falls, 
Randolph  county,  North  Carohna,  May  23,  1860, 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Durham,  N.  C,  March  24, 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  69 

1899.  When  he  was  twelve  years  old  he  went  to 
Greensboro,  N.  C,  to  Hve  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Mr.  J.  A.  Odell,  with  whom  he  hved  until  1885. 
During  these  years  he  had  all  the  advantages  of 
a  refined,  Christian  home,  which  was  indeed  ex- 
ceedingly congenial  to  his  young  but  great  heart. 
While  here  he  received,  in  a  practical  way,  a  thor- 
ough business  training,  for  which  work  he  was 
peculiarly  adapted.  So  thoroughly  did  he  prove 
himself  to  be  a  business  man  of  tine  parts  that  the 
Messrs.  Odell  saw  and  appreciated  his  work,  and 
in  1885  they  put  him  at  the  head  of  their  manufac- 
turing interests  in  Durham.  The  same  traits  of 
character  that  characterized  him  as  a  man  of 
sterling  worth  and  unusual  business  tact  continued 
to  develop  in  him  as  the  head  of  the  Durham 
Manufacturing  Compan3^  When  he  took  charge  of 
the  mill  it  was  comparatively  small,  but  wiien  he 
laid  his  work  down  fourteen  years  later  the  mill 
w^as  capitalized  at  1225,000.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Durham 
Cotton  Manufacturing  Company,  and  also  of  the 
Pearl  Cotton  Mi^l.  He  w^as  a  directoi*  in  these  and 
in  other  cotton  mills  in  North  Carolina.  He  was 
also  a  director  in  the  Fidelity  Bank  of  Durham,  a 
director  of  the  Southern  and  Seaboard  railroads. 
He  was  trustee  of  Trinity  College  and  of  Greensboro 
Female  College. 

As  a  business  man  he,  perhaps,  had  no  superior, 
and  but  few  peers.      Though  he  was  a  man  of  such 


70  IN    MEMORTAM. 

wouderful  business  powers  he  delighted  in  giving 
some  of  his  best  service  to  his  church.  For  nine 
years  he  served  the  North  Carohna  Conference  as 
treasurer  of  the  Joint  Board  of  Finance.  Speaking 
from  personal  knowledge  of  him,  it  was  a  pleasure 
to  him  to 'do  all  that  he  did  for  the  church.  He 
looked  forward  to  the  meeting  of  our  annual  Con- 
ference with  as  much  interest  and  hopeful  antici- 
pation as  any  clerical  member  of  the  Conference 
possibly  could.  No  man  knew  the  members  of  the 
Conference  better  than  did  Brother  Branson.  No 
man  ever  gave  the  preachers  a  more  cordial  hand- 
grasp  or  had  a  warmer  place  in  his  heart  than  did 
he.  He  not  only  knew  and  loved  the  members  of 
the  Conference,  but  when  he  addressed  one  of  them 
he  delighted  in  using  that  familiar  word  to  which 
all  Methodists  have  a  birthright,  "brother."  His 
devotion  to  his  church  was  beautiful.  Though  in 
the  business  world  he  was  a  giant,  yet,  he  was  one 
of  the  most  thoroughly  consecrated  Christian  men 
I  have  ever  known.  He  did  not  get  where  he  was 
ashamed  to  recognize  a  Methodist  preacher  as 
"brother." 

One  who  played  with  him  in  childhood  and  who 
has  been  intimately  associated  with  him  in  all 
their  business  life  said,  "I  never  heard  Will  use  a 
hard  word  or  tell  a  smutty  joke  in  my  life.  He 
would  not  say  a  thing  that  he  coukl  not  repeat  in 
the  presence  of  ladies."  All  honor  to  such  a  man. 
May  the  Lord  give  us  many  more  like  him. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  71 

It  was  in  1876  or  1877  that  Brother  Branson  was 
converted  and  joined  West  Market  Church,  in 
Greensboro,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  S.  D. 
Adams.  Soon  after  he  joined  the  church  he  was 
elected  a  steward  and  served  in  that  capacity  until 
his  death.  A  more  efficient,  faithful  steward  has 
never  served  a  church.  He  has  been  superinten- 
dent of  our  Sunday  School  ever  since  its  organiza- 
tion. He  kept  the  school  in  a  fine  condition  all  the 
time.  I  have  never  seen  but  one  weeping,  sorrow- 
ing Sunday  School,  that  was  Carr  Church  Sunday 
School,  on  Sunday  morning,  March  25.  when  we 
assembled  for  the  first  time  after  our  beloved 
superintendent's  death.  His  chair  was  vacant,  his 
familiar  form  did  not  appear,  but  love  for  him  was 
in  every  heart,  as  the  tears  in  all  eyes  attested.  He 
also  served  the  church  as  delegate  to  District, 
Annual,  and  General  Conferences. 

One  who  was  intimate  with  him  said:  "I  have 
been  with  him  in  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New 
York,  and  in  many  other  places,  but  have  never 
seen  him  in  any  company,  hotel  or  place,  where  he 
did  not,  if  ax)propriate,  speak  of  his  church  in  the 
best  of  terms." 

His  life  was  an  expcment  of  love  and  fidehty  to 
his  church.  A  member  of  our  Conference  said  : 
"He  was  the  most  useful  layman  in  the  Conference." 

On  December  17,  1885,  Brother  Branson  was 
married  to  Clara  Sergeant,  of  Greensboro,  who, 
with    Annie    and    William   H.,    Jr.,   survive  him. 


72  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Helen,  a  bright  jewel,  preceded  her  father  to  the 
Spirit  World.  Will  not  the  prayers  of  our  Confer- 
ence ascend  for  Sister  Branson  and  the  two 
children?  May  William  H.  Branson,  Jr.,  worthily 
wear  the  name  of  his  sainted  and  noble  father. 

"Unless  God  be  with  us  all  our  toil  is  m  vain,  "  is 
a  quotation  taken  from  a  little  memorandum  book 
found  in  Brother  Branson's  pocket  after  his  death. 
The  quotation  was  in  his  handwriting.  This 
sentence  gives  us  in  a  few  words  the  key  to  his 
success  and  usefulness. 

"O  happy,  happy  soul 
In  ecstasies  of  praise, 
Long  as  eternal  ages  roll, 

Thou  see'st  thy  Savior's  face. 

"Soldier  of  Chri^,  well  done, 
Praise  be  thy  new  employ ; 
And  while  eternal  ages  run, 
Rest  in  thy  Savior's  joy.  " 


[  Q.  K.  Nhnoclcs,  in  Raleigh  Christian  Advocate.  ] 

The  tragic  death  of  poor  Branson  came  as  a 
terrible  shock  to  his  friends  in  Fayetteville,  as  it 
did  everywhere  he  was  known.  He  w^as  in  the 
truest  and  highest  sense  one  of  "Nature's  noble- 
men," and  his  loss  will  be  keenly  felt  among  us. 
especially  at  the  sessions  of  the  Annual  Confer- 
ence, where  in  time  past  he  met  so  many  of  the 


WTLLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  73 

fiiends  who  now  mourn  his  untimely  end.  The 
church  mihtant  has  lost  a  valiant  soldier,  and 
Methodism  in  particular  an  earnest  and  zealous 
member  in  the  death  of  this  good  man.  May  the 
shining  example  he  has  left  us  of  unselfish 
devotion  to  Christian  duty  prove  an  inspiration  to 
his  fellow -servants  of  the  Master  in  the  Methodist 
laity  who  remain.     May  peace  evermore  be  his. 


[Nashville  {l^enn.  )  Cliristian  Advocate.] 

It  gives  us  deeper  sorrow  than  words  can 
express  to  announce  the  untimely  death  of  Mr. 
William  H.  Branson,  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Durham,  N.  C,  Cotton  Mill.  The  sad  event 
took  place  on  the  24th  inst.,  and  was  due  to  the  acci- 
dental bursting  of  a  steam  pipe.  Brother  Branson 
was  one  of  the  foremost  young  business  men  of 
North  Carolina,  and  seemed  to  have  a  great  future 
before  him.  He  was  also  an  excellent  Christian 
and  a  staunch  Methodist.  Many  who  met  him  at 
the  last  General  Conference  will  learn  with  deep 
regret  that  he  has  been  taken  away  so  soon. 


74  IN    MEMORIAM. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  RESPECT, 


Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing  ('ompany. 

East  Durham,  N.  C,,  April  6,  '99. 

Whereas,  William  H.  Branson,  who  for  the  past  four- 
teen years  has  been  the  efficient  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing  Company,  has  died 
since  the  last  meeting-  of  the  Directors  of  said  Company, 
and  it  is  not  only  proper,  but  in  accordance  with  their 
personal  wishes,  to  spread  on  the  records  and  let  it  be 
known  in  what  high  esteem  he  was  held  by  his  associates, 
therofore,  be  it 

Besolved,  That  in  every  relation  of  life  our  departed 
friend  and  associate  was  an  ideal  man.  As  a  husband  he 
was  thoughtful  and  attentive;  as  a  father  he  was  tender 
and  loving;  as  a  neighbor  he  was  kind  and  obliging;  as  a 
man  of  business  he  had  no  superior  in  our  midst;  as  a 
Christian  he  exemplified  the  teachings  of  the  Master.  He 
was  a  fearless,  brave,  heroic  lover  of  truth.  While  he 
loved  popular  approval  he  did  not  fawn  upon  it.  When 
he  made  up  his  mind  that  a  thing  was  right  no  other  ques- 
tion seemed  to  concern  him  but  its  performance.  He  loved 
his  business  and  he  was  a  friend  of  his  operatives.  What 
a  crown  of  glory  awaits  one  of  whom  it  can  be  truthfully 
said  that  under  his  administration  for  fourteen  years  no 
breath  of  scandal  came  near  the  mill  people,  "our  people," 
as  he  loved  to  call  them,  whose  welfare  was  his  chief 
solicitude.     The  Durham  Cotton   Manufacturing  Company 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  75 

has   been   tri-eatly  blessed  in  having-  him  for   its   secretary 
and  treasurer,  and  will  ever  miss  his  efficient  services. 

Remlved,  fiuther,  That  we  tender  to  his  wife  and  family 
our  deepest  sympathy;  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
spread  upon  the  minutes  of  the  Company,  a  copy  be  sent 
to  his  wife,  and  also,  that  thej-  be  published  in  the  Durham 
Sun,  Durham  Morning  Herald,  Raleigh  Post  and  Raleigh 
Christian  Advocate. 

Geo.  W.  Watts, 
H.  W.  Jackson, 
B.  N.  Duke, 
Committee. 

Pearl  Cotton  Mills. 

Durham,  N.  C,  April  6,  1899. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the  Pearl  Cotton 
Mills,  held  this  day,  the  following  action  was  taken: 

Whereas,  William  H.  Branson,  who  has  been  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Pearl  Cotton  Mills  since  its  organiza- 
tion, has  been  called  from  his  work  on  earth  since  our  last 
meeting-,  we,  his  co-laborers,  desire  to  certify  our  estimation 
of  his  character,  and  do 

Resolve,  That  William  H.  Branson  was  one  of  the  best 
equipped  cotton  mill  men  we  ever  knew,  being  thorougly 
familiar  with  machinery  and  methods  necessary  to  produce 
given  results.  He  was  also  a  model  organizer  and  director 
of  labor,  being  kind,  yet  firm;  generous,  yet  mindful  of  the 
interests  of  those  he  served,  and  knowing  how  everything 
in  the  mills  should  be  done.  He  was  also  a  merchant, 
finding  ready  sale  for  our  production  in  the  face  of  strong 
competition,  his  honesty  and  integrity  causing  his  custom- 
ers to  implicitly  rely  upon  any  statement  he  made  and  any 
goods  he  sold  them. 


76  IN    MEMORIAM. 

We  miss  him,  not  only  as  a  valued  assistant  in  our 
work,  but  as  a  faithful  friend,  whose  warm  t^i-eeting,  cheery 
voice  and  genial  presence  always  encouraged  us  to  better 
endeavors. 

We  tender  to  his  wife  and  family  our  deepest  sympathy. 

We  order  these  resolutions  spread  upon  the  minutes  and 

a  copy  be  furnished  his  wife;    also    to    the  town    papers, 

Raleigh  Post  and  the  Raleigh  Christian  Advocate  with  request 

to  publish. 

J.  M.  Odell, 

B.  N.  Duke, 

W.  A.  Erwin, 

Committee. 


Odell  Manufacturing  Company. 

Concord,  N.  C,  July,  11,  '99. 

Whereas,  Wm.  H.  Branson  was  a  stockholder  of  this 
corporation,  and  one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient  mem- 
bers of  its  Board  of  Directo)'s  from  his  earliest  connection 
with  it,  and 

Whereas,  He  was  a  man  of  the  finest  social  qualities, 
always  genial  and  agreeable  towards  his  fellows,  and 

Whereas,  His  moral  character  and  religious  life  w^ere 
of  the  best  possible  type,  and 

Whereas,  He  was  suddenly  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  his 
days  and  usefulness  by  a  fearful  accident,  which  occurred 
at  his  mill  in  Durham,  N.  C,  on  the  24th  of  March,  1899, 
therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  first,  That  in  this  sad  event,  showing  the  ways  of 
the  Lord  to  be  past  finding  out,  we  mournfully  bow  to  the 
will  of  God,  and  pray  that  his  taking  away  may  be 
employed  to  the  honor  of  His  name. 

Second-     That  we  hereby  tender  our   heartfelt  sympathy 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  77 

and  prayer  to  the  bereaved  family,  trusting-  that  they  may 
ever  realize  the  presence  and  help  of  that  Friend  who  can- 
not be  taken  from  them,  and  who  will  never  leave  nor 
forsake  them. 

Third.  That  a  copy  of  this  paper  be  sent  to  Mrs. 
Branson  and  a  copy  be  spread  upon  our  minutes,  also  a 
pag-e  of  our  record  book  be  set  apart  as  sacred  to  his 
memory, 

d.  b.  coltrane, 
Thos.  W.  Smith, 
Jno.  a.  Barnhakdt, 
Committee. 


Southern  Cotton  Mills. 

Bessemer  City,  N.  C,  Sept.  13,  1899. 

Whereas,  Mr.  Wm.  H.  Branson  has  died  since  our  last 
meeting,  and  under  circumstances  that  render  his  death 
especially  pathetic; 

Eesolved,  That  this  Board  record  this  expression  of  its 
bereavement,  deeply  felt  by  each  of  us,  his  associates:  and 
that  our  company  has  suffered  a  severe  loss  in  his  death. 
He  was  of  full  experience  and  fully  endowed  naturally  to 
fill  efficiently  the  office  that  he  held. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  sent  to  Mrs. 
W.  H.  Branson  and  a  copy  be  recorded  with  the  minutes 
of  the  meeting. 

For  the  Board. 

S.  J.  Durham, 
Secretary. 


IN    MEMORIAM. 


Fidelity  Bank. 

Durham,  N.  C.  April  1,  1899. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Fidelity  Bank,  held  today,  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  unanimously  adopted: 

Whereas,  Since  the  last  meeting-  of  this  Board,  William 
H.  Branson,  one  of  its  most  honored  members,  has  died; 
and 

Whereas,  During-  his  life  time  his  zeal  and  energy  in 
behalf  of  this  bank  were  so  helpful  to  it; 

Besolved.  By  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Fidelity  Bank, 
in  meeting-  assembled,  that  this  Bank  by  his  death  has  lost 
a  prudent,  loyal  officer,  who  was  a  valuable  factor  in  its 
affairs;  and  that  the  members  of  this  Board  personally 
have  been  deprived  of  the  advice  and  assistance  of  a 
diligent,  active  associate  and  fellow  counselloi*,  upon 
whose  judgment  it  was  always  safe  to  rely. 

Remlved,  further,  That  we  hereby  tender  to  his  wife  and 
children  in  their  sad  bereavement  our  heartfelt  sympathy 
and  condolence. 

Besolved,  further,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 

by  the  secretary  of  this  meeting  to   his   family,  and   that 

copies  hereof  be  sent  to  the  Baleigh  Christian  Advocate  and 

our  city  papers,  with  the  request  that  -they  publish  them, 

and  further,  that  they  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of  this 

meeting  of  the  Board,  upon  a  page  of    such  minutes  to  be 

set  apart  for  that  purpose. 

John  F.  Wily, 

Cashier  and  Secretai-y. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  79 


Trustees  of  Trinity  College. 

The  24th  day  of  March,  1899,  was  a  sad  day  for  Durham 
and  Trinity  Colleg-e.  On  this  day  William  H.  Branson, 
rejoicing-  in  the  sti-ength  of  mature  manhood,  was  called  by 
a  most  sudden  death  into  the  possession  of  that  inheritance 
which  is  incorruptible  and  undefiled;  and  that  fadeth  not 
away,  reserved  in  Heaven  for  him. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  Trinity  Colleg-e,  of  which  Bro. 
Branson  was  a  member,  hereby  declares  itself  greatly 
bereaved  in  his  death.  He  was  a  most  valued  trustee, 
energetic,  alert,  and  alive  to  every  interest  of  TrinHy 
Colleg-e,  which  he  loved  with  an  almost  passionate  devo- 
tion. His  place  in  the  annual  meeting  was  seldom  vacant. 
Though  burdened  with  g-reat  business  interests  he  always 
found  time  to  obey  the  call  of  the  College.  His  voice  was 
a  familiar  one,  bold,  decided,  and  carrying  with  it  the 
weight  of  wisdom. 

The  Board  hereby  expresses  its  appreciation  of  Brother 
Branson  not  only  as  an  official  member,  but  as  a  Christian 
g-entleman.  It  rejoices  in  the  fact  that  the  wealth  of  his 
broad,  consecrated  manhood  will  long-  be  enjoyed  by  the 
College  of  his  love,  the  church  in  which  he  was  an  all  day 
laborer,  and  the  g-eneration  which  he  so  faithfully  served. 

The  Board  would  also  express  its  deep  sympathy  for  the 
widow  and  children,  who  mourn  the  loss  of  one  who  was  a 
model  husband. and  father.  It  commends  them  to  the  One 
whose  providences  are  always  loving  and  wise. 

The  Board  hereby   orders  that  a  copy  of  this  memorial 

paper  be  sent  respectively,  to  the  family  of  the  deceased, 

the  Durham  papers,  the  Raleigh  Christian  Advocate,  and  the 

North  Carolina  Christian  Advocute. 

T.   N.  IVEY, 

In  behalf  of  ihe  Board  of  Trustees 

of  Trinity  College,  N.  C. 


80  IN    MEMORIAM. 


Faculty  of  Trinity  College. 

Whereas,  William  H.  Branson,  who,  for  several  years, 
has  been  a  Trustee  of  Trinity  College,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  said  Board,  and  of  the 
Finance  Committee  of  the  Colleg-e,  died  on  March  24th, 
1899,  the  Faculty  of  Trinity  Colleg-e  desire  to  give  expres- 
sion to  their  love  and  esteem  for  the  deceased:  therefore, 
be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Branson  the  members 
of  the  Faculty  feel  that  the  institution  has  lost  one  of  its 
most  valued  friends  and  supporters,  and  each  member  of  the 
Faculty  a  warm  personal  friend.  In  all  his  relations  with 
the  College  he  has  been  actuated  by  an  unselfish  desire  for 
its  success  and  welfare.  There  was  no  enterprise  of  the 
College  in  which  he  was  not  interested,  and  to  the  solution 
of  all  the  problems  of  the  College  he  brought  the  same 
elements  which  made  him  so  successful  in  his  business,  and 
so  influential  in  his  church.  No  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  ever  performed  his  duty  more  faithfully  or  with 
more  ability,  and  the  Faculty  always  felt  that  in  him  they 
had  an  official  and  friend  who  was  anxious  to  aid  in  any 
enterprise  for  the  success  of  the  institution.  By  his  warm 
greeting  and  genial  presence  he  made  men  love  him  as  few 
can  do.  Trinity  College  will  miss  him  and  the  members  of 
the  Faculty  have  lost  a  faithful  and  honored  friend. 

We  tender  to  his  wife  and  children  our  deepest  sympathy, 
and  pray  that  God  may  strengthen  them  in  this  sorrow. 

R.  L.  Flowers, 
Jerome  Dowd, 
.1.  S.  Bassett, 

CommiUee. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  81 


Students  of  Trinity  College. 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  God  suddenly  to  remove  from 
our  midst  William  H.  Branson,  and 

Whereas,  He,  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Trinity  College,  labored  constantly  and  devotedly  for  the 
betterment  of  the  institution  to  which  we  belong,  be  it 
therefore 

Resolved,  1st,  That  while  we  bow  in  humble  submission  to 
the  summons  which  has  called  him  away,  we  express  our 
great  sorrow  over  the  sudden  and  irreparable  loss  of  one 
so  young  and  so  strong. 

Resolved,  M,  That  the  students  of  Trinity  College  have 
lost  in  him  not  only  a  warm  personal  friend  and  personal 
supporter,  but  also  the  inspiring  presence  of  one  who,  by 
his  daily  walk,  has  left  us  a  worthy  example  of  manly, 
heroic  character. 

Resolved,  3d,  That  Trinity  College  and  the  Church  of 
North  Carolina  have  lost  one  of  their  most  consecrated  and 
capable  workers. 

Resolved,  Ifth,  That  the  State  of  North  Carolina  has 
suffered  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  one  who  spent  all  the 
powers  of  a  strong  character  for  her  educational  and 
material  advancement. 

Resolved,  5th,  That  we  express  to  the  bereaved  wife  and 
children  our  heartfelt  sympathy,  and,  as  participants  of 
their  sorrow,  beg  for  them  that  consolation  which  alone  is 
sufficient. 

Resolved,  6th,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
the  bereaved  family,  and  copies  to  the  Raleigh  Christian 
Advocate  and  the  Trinity  Archive  for  publication. 


82  in  memoriam. 

Greensboro  Female  College  Association. 

Whereas,  W.  H.  Branson,  a  director  of  the  Greensboro 
Female  College  Association,  has  departed  this  life,  and 

Whereas,  We  desire  to  make  record  of  the  hig-h  esteem 
in  which  he  was  held  by  the  Association,  to  express  our 
g-reat  appreciation  of  his  labors  for  the  College,  and  to 
chronicle  our  deep  sorrow  at  this  sad  dispensation  of 
Providence:  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  By  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Greensboro 
Female  College  Association: 

1st.  That  by  the  death  of  W.  H.  Branson  this  College, 
and  the  cause  of  Christian  education  generally,  have 
suffered  an  irreparable  loss;  the  church  has  lost  one  of  its 
most  devoted  and  useful  members,  and  the  State  mourns  the 
loss  of  one  of  its  best  citizens.  His  was  a  positive  charac- 
ter. He  performed  "with  his  might"  every  duty  which 
devolved  upon  him.  His  capacity  for  work  was  simply 
wonderful.  His  labors  were  incessant,  and  yet  he  never 
seemed  to  be  rushed,  or  in  a  hurry.  His  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  education  was  intense,  and  his  wisdom  never  failed 
in  .the  council  chambers  of  our  Church  institutions.  He 
was  active  in  all  Church  work,  and  delighted  to  engage  in 
any  movement  for  the  elevation  of  humanity.  A  stronger, 
gentler,  better,  manlier  man  it  has  not  been  our  lot  to  know. 

M.  That  we  are  in  deep  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  wife 
and  children  in  their  grief,  and  commend  them  to  the  care 
and  comfort  of  Him  who  loves  them  and  gave  himself  for 
them. 

3d.  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the  minutes  of 
the  Association,  and  that  a  copy  be  sent  to  the  family  of 
the  deceased.  Dred  Peacock, 

O.  W.  Carr, 
W.  R.  Odell, 

Committee. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  83 


Faculty  of  Greensboro  Female  College. 

Greensboro,  N.  C,  April  4,  1899. 

The  undersigned  committee,  on  the  part  of  the 
Faculty  of  Greensboro  Female  College,  draughted 
the  following  resolutions  of  respect: 

Whereas,  In  the  providence  of  God,  death  has  stricken 
down  in  the  flower  of  manhood,  our  friend  and  brother,  Mr. 
W.  H.  Branson;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  1st,  That  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Branson  Greens- 
boro Female  College  has  lost  one  of  her  most  faithful 
trustees  and  devoted  friends. 

Besolved,  2d,  That  the  State  has  lost  one  of  her  best 
citizens,  and  the  Church  one  of  her  wisest  counsellors  and 
most  loyal  members. 

Resolved,  3d,  That  we  extend  our  deepest  sympathy  to  the 
g-rief-stricken  wife  and  relations  of  our  departed  brother, 
with  the  prayer  that  God's  sustaining  grace  may  be  with 
them  in  this  time  of  greatest  need. 

Resolved,  Itth,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to 
the  bereaved  wife  of  the  deceased,  and  that  copies  of  the 
same  be  published  in  the  College  Message,  the  Raleigh  Clinst- 
ian  Advocate  and  the  North  Carolina  Christian  Advocate. 

T.  A.  Smoot, 
Lillian  Long, 
Minnie  H.  Moore. 


84  IN   MEMORIAM. 


SYMPATHETIC  TELEGRAMS. 


Greensboro,  N.  C,  March  24,  1899. 

To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Keep  me  posted  as  to  Branson's  condition;  will  be  down 

tomorrow  morning-.     All  the  people  here  deeply  deplore  the 

accident  and  sympathize  with  you. 

J.  A.  Odell. 


New  York,  March  24,  1899. 
To  3frs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  .C: 

Greatly  grieved    to    learn    of    Mr.    Branson's    accident. 
Hope  he  is  doing-  nicely,  and  will  soon  be  well. 

Geo.  W.  Watts. 


New  York,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  .C: 

Our  deepest  sympathy  is  with  you  in  the  loss  of  your 
noble  husband,  whom  I  loved  as  a  brother  and  esteemed  as 

one  of  my  best  friends. 

Geo.  W.  Watts. 


Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

We  deeply  sympathize  with  you.     Your  loss  is  ours,  too. 

T.  N.  IVEY. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  85 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

I  have  just  received  a  teleg-ram  advising  me  of  your  gad 
loss.  I  deeply  sympathize  with  you.  Mr.  Branson  was 
one  of  my  very  good  friends  and  I  shall  miss  him. 

H.  W.  Miller. 

Greensboro,  N.  C,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  B.  Branson,  JDurhayn,  K.  C: 
Mrs.  Glenn  joins  me  in  tender  sympathy  for  you. 

Tyre  Glenn. 

Raleigh,  N.  C.,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.   W.  B.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Am  greatly  saddened  by  distressing  news  of  your  good 
husband's  death.  Accept  assurances  of  my  sincere  sym- 
pathy. 

R.  T.  Gray. 

St.  George,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  B.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Prostrated  over  dear  Will's  death.  Accept  deepest  sym- 
pathy from  all  family.  I  leave  for  Durham  Saturday 
afternoon. 

Henry  G.  Woodruff. 


Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.   W.  B.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

My  wife  joins  in  tenderest  sympathy.     The  whole  State 
mourns  with  you  in  loss  of  one  of  its  best  sons. 

JosEPHus  Daniels. 


86  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  E.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 
Bessie  joins  me  in  deepest  love  and  sympathy  for  you. 

Sam.  F.  Patterson. 


New  York,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 
You  have  my  deepest  sympathy  in  your  great  sorrow. 

R.  L.  Patterson. 


PvOXBORO,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

We  deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  the  death   of  your 

devoted  husband. 

J.  A.  Long  and  Wife. 


ROXBORO,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mr.  C  A.  Jordan,  Durham,  N.  C: 
Please  tender  Mrs.  Branson  my  heartfelt  sympathy, 

R.  E.  Long. 


New  York,  March  25,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

We  cannot  express  how  deeply  we  sympathize  with  you. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  W.  Fuller. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  87 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  24,  1899. 

To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson^  Durham,  N.  C: 

Let  one  who  knows  what  sorrow  is  extend  his  sympathy 
and  pray  God's  blessings  on  you  in  this  sad  hour. 

J.  B.  Morgan. 


Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  24,  1899. 

2o  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Have  just  heard  the  sad  news.     Please  accept  our  deepest 
sympathy  for  yourself  and  family. 

Lee  &  Latta. 


To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Allow  me  to  trespass  in  this  hour  of  your  saddest 
bereavement  by  tendering-  my  sincere  condolence.  Your 
dearest  one,  and  my  friend,  is  gone.  May  we  all  at  last 
meet  where  there  is  no  sorrow,  no  separation,  and  wh^re 
every  tear  shall  be  washed  away.     God  makes  no  mistakes. 

E.  J.  Parrish. 


Portsmouth,  Va.,  March  25,  1899. 

To  Mr.  W.  A.  Muse,  Agent  Durham  and  Northern  Bailway, 
Durham,  N.  C: 

I  beg-  you  will  extend  my  deepest  sympathy  to  family  of 
Mr.  W.  H.  Branson,  whom  I  personally  knew  and  for 
whom  I  entertained  a  very  high  regard. 

E.  St.  John, 

Vice-President. 


88  IN   MEMORIAM. 

Richmond,  Va.,  March  25,  1899. 

To  Mr.  W.  A.  Muse,  Agent  Durham  and  Northern  Railway, 
Durham,  N.  C: 

Please  extend  to  the  family  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Branson  my 
sincerest  sympathy  in  the  bereavement  which  has  befallen 
them,  and  express  to  them  the  loss  which  we  keenly  feel  at 
the  removal  of  one  whose  judgment  and  influence  and 
support  we  have  always  so  highly  prized. 

John  Skelton  Williams, 
President. 


Henderson,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 

To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

You  have  our  sincerest  sympathies  and  prayers  in  your 

sad  bereavement.     May  God's  goodness  and  tender  mercy 

sustain  you  and  the  dear  little  ones  in  this  darkest  hour  of 

sorrow. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  Y.  Cooper. 


Greensboro,  N.  C.,  March  24,  1899. 
To  Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Will  you  bury  Will  there  or  bring  to  Greensboro?     My 
tenderest  sympathy  my  dear,  dear,  sister. 

Charles  H.  Ireland. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  89 


LETTERS  TO  HIS  FAMILY. 


Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  27,  1899. 
My  Dear  Sister  Branson: 

I  have  no  words  with  which  to  tell  you  of  the  profound 
grief  that  has  shadowed  my  soul  since  the  death  of  your 
dear,  g-ood  husband. 

I  had  for  him  a  strong  and  abiding  love,  such  as  I  have 
for  but  few.  I  regarded  him  as  one  of  my  very  best  friends. 
No  man  had  my  unbounded  confidence  more  than  he.  One 
of  the  brightest  and  most  enjoyable  features  of  my  Annual 
Conference  experience  was  in  meeting  with  him  and  work- 
ing with  him  on  the  Joint  Board  of  Finance — a  work  which 
he  loved  so  dearly  and  did  so  perfectly. 

What  words  can  I  write  you  to  tell  you  of  how  I  will 
miss  him! 

But  I  know  this  blow  comes  more  heavily  on  you  than 
on  any  one  else.  All  that  I  can  do  is  to  commend  you  to 
the  grace  of  Him  who  alone  can  understand  why  your 
husband  was  taken.  God  has  promised  not  to  leave  nor 
forsake  you. 

I  desired  so  much  to   come  up   on   day   of    funeral,  but 

found  I  could  not.     You  have  my  heart's   sympathy;  and 

not  only  so,  but  I  feel  that  I  also  am  bereaved.     May  God 

be   very   gracious   unto  you   and    your  precious   children, 

and  keep  you  unto  that  blessed  reunion  in  the  home  where 

death  never  enters. 

Sincerely  yours, 

W.  C.  Norman. 


90  in  memoriam. 

Southern  Christian  Advocate. 

John  O.  Willson,  Editor. 

Columbia,  S.  C,  March  27,  1899. 
My  Dear  Brother:* 

My  heart  has  sorrowed  with  you  from  the  first  tidings  of 
the  trag-edy.  Branson  won  my  confidence  and  then  my 
affection,  and  T  felt  his  death  as  a  personal  loss;  but  I 
knew  that  he  w^as  so  knit  to  you  that  it  would  be  like 
Jonathan's  fall  to  David.  How  strange  such  a  noble  man 
should  be  taken  when  true  men  are  so  much  needed  I  But 
God  will  not  allow 'His  cause  or  His  children  to  suffer 
without  recompense. 

Express  my  sympathy  to  family. 

Affectionately   yours, 

J.  O.  Willson. 

Charleston,  S.  C,  March  27,  1899. 
My  Dear  John:* 

Your  short  note  with  its  sad  intelligence  came  to  me  this 
morning.  I  reply  at  once  to  assure  you  that  you  do  have 
our  sympathy  and  sorrow  in  your  loss. 

I  well  remember  Brother  Branson;  quiet,  unassuming, 
patient,  strong  in  conviction,  a  manly  man.  Such  men 
make  us  have  faith  in  humanity.  J  am  glad  I  knew  him, 
though  only  for  a  little  while,  yet  long  enough  for  me  to 
see  a  true  man.  Such  a  vision  always  enriches  any  life,  as 
it  also  obligates  to  a  higher  manhood.  I  pray  God  to 
sustain  his  friends  in  their  loss  and  to  comfort  his  bereaved 
family. 

You  will  please  express  to  Mrs.  Branson  my  sympathy. 
I  met  her  last  August.  The  Lord  kindly  regard  you  and 
yours.  Affectionately,  your  brother, 

J  AS.  W.  KiLGO. 

nVritten  to  Dr.  Kilgo  and  sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  91 

Guilford  College,  N.  C,  April  1,  1899. 
Dear  Clara: 

Dear  precious  girl;  how  can  I  say  what  I  feel?  My  own 
heart  aches;  my  tears  flow;  I  think  of  you  nearly  all  the 
time.  I  have  nothing-  to  say;  I  just  want  to  take  you  in 
my  arms  and  pray  God  to  give  us  faith,  or  strength,  or 
whatever  we  need,  to  say,  ''Thy  will  be  done,"  and  to  trust 
Him  and  believe  that  out  of  all  this  ang-uish  which  I  know 
is  yours  His  perfect  purpose  may  be  wroug-ht  out.  I  do 
not  pretend  to  know  whether  He  sends  things,  or  how  they 
come,  but  I  know  that  He  can  overrule  everything,  and 
bring  light  out  of  darkness  and  "g-ive  beauty  for  ashes,  the 
oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  the  g-arment  of  praise  for  the 
spirit  of  heaviness, "— Isa.  61:3;  and  yet  I  know  it  is  hard  to 
place  ourselves  so  in  harmony  with  the  Eternal  when  our 
very  life  is  crushed  under  the  burden  of  the  present,  and  I 
do  not  believe  our  God  requires  more  than  we  can  do  or 
regards  our  natural  feelings  as  wrong.  All  we  can  do  is 
to  throw  ourselves  on  His  love  and  mercy.  He  is  our  Father. 
My  love  goes  out  to  you  in  unbounded  measure,  and  I 
pray  God  to  hold  you  in  His  hands. 
Your  friend, 

Mary  Mendenhall  Hobbs. 

[Wife  of  President  Hobbs  of  Guilford  College.] 


Greensboro,  N.  C,  March,  28,  1899. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Branson: 

I  cannot  tell  you  how  inexpressibly  shocked  I  am  at  the 
awfully  sudden  taking  away  of  your  husband  and  my 
friend.  Only  a  few  days  ago  I  met  him  on  our  streets,  full 
of  health  and  vigor,  and  I  cannot  yet  i-ealize  I  shall  meet 
him  no  more. 

I    know    that  words    of   condolence    and    sympathy    are 


92  IN    MEMORIAM. 

empty  sounds  to  you  now  in  your  sorrow,  but  I  feel  that  I 
must  at  least  assure  you  of  my  g-rief  over  your  loss,  and 
mine,  and  indeed  that  of  the  whole  State,  for  your  husband 
commanded  the  respect,  and  even  the  esteem  of  all  who 
knew  him,  even  casually,  and  I  have  known  him  for  twenty 
years. 

May  the  God  of  the  fatherless  and  widow  comfort  your 
heart,  for  you  do  not  sorrow  as  one  without  hope. 

While  he  cannot  return  to  us  we  have  his  life  and  char- 
acter to  assure  us  that  we  may  go  to   him  in   his  home  of 

rejoicing. 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

W.  P.  Beall. 


Rockingham,  N.  C,  March  30,  1899. 
My  Dear  Clara: 

The  sad,  sad  news  of  your  loss  came  to  me  in  the  papers, 
and  I  feel  sure  that  to  no  friend  did  they  bring  more  of 
real  sorrow.  Aside  from  my  deep  and  heartfelt  sympathy 
for  you,  your  dear  babies,  and  all  of  the  family,  Willie's 
death  is  to  me  a  personal  loss.  For  years,  now,  I  have 
met  him  very  seldom,  but  he  has  always  been  one  of  "my 
boys,"  as  he  used  to  be,  when  a  member  of  my  Sunday 
School  class  in  Greensboro  for  four  years.  Each  time  we 
met  he  would  recall  the  old  days  affectionately,  and  often, 
when  seeing  Mr.  LeGrand,  would  send  some  pleasant  mes- 
sage, or  insist  that  we  should  visit  your  home.  Only  a 
few  weeks  ago  he  told  Mr.  LeGrand  in  Raleigh  that  in  his 
home  '-there  would  ever  be  a  cordial  welcome"  for  me  and 
mine. 

Following  his  steps  as  he  moved  along,  a  useful,  honored 
Christian,  it  has  been  such  a  pleasure  to  watch  the  bright, 
lovable  Christian  boy  grow  into  a  man,  loved  and  honored 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  93 

by  all,    and    filling-  nobly  places  of  trust  in  Church  and 
State. 

God,  in  His  wisdom,  has  seen  fit  to  take  your  loved  one 
home  and  my  heart  bows  in  g-rief  and  deepest  sympathy 
with  you  while  I  recall  with  thankfulness  his  noble  life. 

We  know  not  why  the  blow  has  fallen,  but  it  comes  from 
a  loving  Father's  hand,  and  that  same  hand  will  guide  us 
if  we  hold  it  fast,  even  while  we  are  in  the  blackest  darkness 
without  one  ray  of  light.  Trust  in  God  and  He  will  bring- 
out  the  light  so  that  you  will  see  His  love  and  mercy  some 
day.  It  may  not  be  all  made  plain  till  you  have  been 
re-united  in  Heaven,  but  it  surely  will  all  be  clear  to  us 
then.  My  prayers  go  up  with  many  others  for  you  in  your 
sorrow,  and  I  know  that  God  will  comfort  and  sustain  you. 
Kiss  the  children  and  give  my  love  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Odell 
and  your  own  family,  as  they  share  your  bereavement. 

Mr.  LeGrand  joins  me  in  every  expression  of  sorrow  and 
sympathy,  and  even  my  children,  who  have  heard  me  speak 
so  often  of  "My  Sunday  school  boys,"  wish  me  to  say  how 
they  sympathize  with  you  all. 

Please  excuse  the  writing  as  I  am  still   nervous  from  the 
severe  headache  which  prevented  my  writing  earlier. 
Your  affectionate  friend, 

Rebecca  Wilson  LeGrand. 


Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  March  25,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C.: 

Dear  Madam— I  have  just  read  in  the  papers  an  account 
of  the  untimely  and  shocking  death  of  your  good  husband, 
and  although  I  am  probably  unknown  to  you,  yet  it  was 
my  privilege  to  know  Mr.  Branson  intimately  and  well, 
and  I  speak  the  truth  when  T  say  that  I  have  never  known 
a  man  who  impressed  me  more  favorably,  and  who,  to  my 


94  IN    MEMORIAM. 

mind,  combined  to  a  greater  degree  all  the  elements  of  an 
upright,  Christian  gentleman.  He  was,  in  a  very  positive 
sense,  a  truly  righteous  man. 

Let  me  assure  you  of  my  profound  sympathy  in  this  the 
saddest  hour  of  mortal  life — the  loss  of  a  good,  true,  and 
noble  husband.  I  had  looked  forward  to  the  time  when  we 
should  meet  and  have  the  pleasure  of  a  week's  friendly 
and  social  intercourse  during  the  session  of  our  next 
Annual  Conference,  where  we  have  so  often  met  before,  had 
he  lived,  but  alas,  it  is  a  world  of  disappointment  and 
sorrow.  He  has  gone  to  his  reward,  and  a  rich  one  it 
will  be. 

Bro.  W.  L.  Cunninggim,  our  beloved  pastor,  is  deeply 
touched  by  the  sad  event,  and  he,  as  well  as  all  our  Meth- 
odist people  here,  whose  good  fortune  it  was  to  know  Mr. 
Branson,  deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  your  sad  bereave- 
ment. May  God  comfort  you  with  the  consolations  of 
divine  grace  in  the  dark  and  trying  hour. 
Your  husband's  friend, 

Q.    K.    NiMOCKS. 


-   Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Greensboro,  N.  C: 

My  Dear  Madam— I  simply  write  a  line  to  express  my 
profound  sorrow  over  the  sad  news  of  your  husband's 
death.  I  have  scarcely  been  able  to  think  of  anything  else 
all  day  today,  and  from  the  moment  the  news  first  reached 
us  yesterday. 

It  is  needless  for  me  to  speak  of  my  high  regard  and 
admiration  for  him,  for  wherever  he  was  known  his  high 
character,  both  as  a  Christian  gentleman  and  a  man  of 
affairs,  commanded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  men. 

My  wife  and  mother  send  to  you  their  sincerest  sympa- 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  95 

thy,  in  which  I  beg-  to  join,  and  we  send  by  this  evening-'s 
express  some  flowers  which  we  wish  to  be  laid 'upon  his 
gi'a.ve.  Most  sincerely, 

Herbert  W.  .Iackson. 


11  Montague  Place,  London,  April  7,  1899. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  Odell,  Greensboro,  N.  C: 

My  Dear  P'riexNDS— Ella  and  I  have  just  received  a 
letter  from  Prof.  Cai-r  informing-  us  of  the  awful  accident 
in  Durham,  resulting-  in  the  death  of  our  beloved  friend, 
W.  H.  Branson.  We  are  terribly  shocked  and  greatly 
g-rieved  at  this  inexpressibly  sad  intellig-ence,  and  write  to 
assure  you  of  our  heartfelt  sympathy.  How  we  wish  it 
were  possible  to  write  something  that  would  in  some  meas- 
ure mitigate  your  grief!  While  we  cannot  do  this  still  we 
are  thankful  for  the  privilege  of  at  least  adding  our  sorrow 
to  your  own,  and  thus  expressing-  our  sense  of  bereavement 
by  his  untimely  death. 

What  a  loss  to  our  dear  College,  to  the  Church— yes,  to 
the  State!  His  like  is  not  to  be  seen  often,  and  his  place 
will  be  very  hard  to  fill. 

We  are  sure  that  we  feel  his  death  no  less  because  of  our 
great  distance  away.  Thank  God  our  love  for  dear  ones 
is  able  completely  to  annihilate  distance! 

It  is  needless  for  us  to  point  to  you  two  theg-oodness  and 
mercy  of  God  under  such  circumstances  as  these,  for  you 
both  know  too  well  what  this  is  by  reason  of  your  constant 
communion  with  Him.  We  both  pray  earnestly  that  His 
grace  may  be  sufficient  for  you  in  this  sad  hour.  How  we 
do  feel  for  his  disconsolate  wife  and  orphaned  children! 
How  we  would  like  to  be  able  to  lessen  their  burden  of 
affliction!     God  knows  all  things  and  makes  no  errors,  and 


96  IN    MEMORIAM. 

in  His  own  g-ood  time  we  will  be  made  to  know  His  inscru- 
table ways. 

Pray,  again,  be  assured  of  our  deepest  sorrow  and  sym- 
pathy, and  believe  us  always  with  much  love, 
Your  very  true  friends, 

Dred  Peacock  and  Wife. 


11  Montague  Place,  London,  April  7,  1899. 
Dear  I^Irs.  Branson: 

We  have  just  received  news  of  Mr.  Branson's  death  and 
hasten  to  write,  assuring'  you  of  our  deep  sorrow  at  this, 
to  us,  very  distressing^  news.  While  we  know  it  is  impos- 
sible for  us  to  write  anything  that  will  make  your  g'rief 
less,  still  we  want  to  assure  you  of  our  true  sj-rapathy. 
The  fact  that  we  are  far  away  in  a  foreig-n  land  does  not 
mitigate  the  blow^  for  us.  Love  does  not  recognize  distance, 
and  we  feel  a  great  personal  loss  in  his  death. 

This  is  a  great  loss  to  our  College,  Church  and  State.  It 
will  be  long  before  his  place  can  be  filled. 

Pray,  be  further   assured  of  our  great  sorrow,  and  allow 
us  to  share  your  sorrow^  in  the  death  of  one  dear  to  us  all. 
Sincerely  and  cordially, 

Dred  Peacock  and  Wife. 


Norfolk,  Va.,  March  25,  1899. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Branson: 

What  can  I  say  to  you  in  expression  of  the  deep  sorrow 
which  has  so  suddenly  and  cruelly  befallen  us  all?  No 
words  at  my  command  are  adequate  to  convey  to  you  how 
appalling  and  shocking  came  the  telegraphic  news  of  dear 
Will's  death.     At  12  o'clock  last  night  came  a  telegram 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  97 

from  Ca])tain  Odell  announcino-  the  awful  fact,  which 
simply  astounded  '.he  entire  family,  and  caused  our  heai-ts 
to  go  out  to  you  and  youi-  dear  little  children  in  the  hour 
of  your  irreparable  loss.  Personally  I  have  lost  a  dear 
friend  whom  I  always  loved  as  a  brother  and  to  whom  I 
ever  felt  so  near. 

Mrs.  Woodruff  and  each  of  my  family  join  me  in  tender- 
ing- to  you  and  the  dear  little  ones  our  deepest  sympathy,  and 
assure  you  that  we  share  the  great  grief  by  which  you 
have  been  so  suddenly  overwhelmed. 

T  intend  leaving-  for  Durham  this  afternoon  to  attend  the 
funeral,  which  I  thought  would  occur  on  Sunday,  as  I 
desired  to  show  my  last  mark  of  respect  to  my  dear  friend 
and  lay  a  flower  upon  his  grave  in  evidence  of  the  love  I 
have  for  him. 

Kindly  give  to  Mr.,  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  Odell  my  kindest 
reg-ards  and  beg-  them  to  accept  my  sincere  condolence. 

May  our  Heavenly  Father  sustain  and  comfort  you  and 
your  little  family;  and  be  assured  that  in  me  you  have 
always  a  friend,  ever  willing-  and  ready  to  render  to  you 
any  service  or  comfort  that  may  contribute  to  the  happiness 
of  you  and  yours. 

It  will  be  a  long  time  before  I  can  realize  that  my  dear 
and  good  friend  whom  I  loved  has  gone  to  his  Heavenly 
home. 

Mrs.  Woodruff  will  write  you. 

Very  sincerely  yours,  r 

H.  G.  Woodruff. 


Odell  Manufacturing  Co. 

Concord,  N.  C,  March  30.  1899. 
Dear  Clara: 

I  enclose  some  letters  received  this  A.  M.     I  trust  they 
may  be  of  some  comfort  to  you. 


98  IN    MEMORIAM. 

I  never  saw  such  an  unanimity  of  sentiment  as  to  tlie 
character  and  life  of  Will  as  is  expressed  by  all  classes  of 
people.  We  are  all  thinking-  of  you  every  moment,  and 
will  pray  God  to  comfort  you  in  this  hour  of  your  deep 
sorrow. 

Anything  I  can  do  for  you  please  do  not  fail  to  drop  me 
a  line.     I  trust  you  are  all  well.     With  love. 
Yours  sincerely, 

W.  R.  Odell. 


Morgan  &  Hamilton  Co. 

Nashville.  Tenn.,  March  27,  1899. 
Dear  Will:* 

Your  telegram  startled  me.  I  don't  know  when  I  have 
been  so  shocked.  What  an  awful  death  I  That  Mr.  Bran- 
son should  have  been  taken  in  this  way  is  distressing.  I 
have,  ever  since  I  first  met  him,  looked  upon  him  as  a 
noble  fellow,  and  while  I  didn't  meet  him  often,  T  have 
heard  so  much  of  him  from  you  and  your  father  and  in  your 
homes,  that  I,  too,  had  grown  unconsciously  to  respect 
and  love  him,  and  so  when  your  telegram  came  about  9:30 
at  night  I  felt  that  I,  too,  had  lost  a  good  and  true  friend. 
My  heart  goes  out  to  you  all,  as  I  wired  you  Friday  night. 
May  God  bless  you  and  sanctify  to  your  good  this  great 
sorrow.  Some  of  these  days  the  mysteries  will  be  made 
plain  to  us.  "His  arm  is  not  shortened  to  save!  "  It  was 
His  plan  and  we  must  bow  in  submission  to  His  will. 
Remember  me  in  great  tenderness  to  Mrs.  Odell  and  to 
Mrs.  Branson  when  you  write  to  them.  I  wish  I  could  say 
something  that  would  lighten  the  load  and  comfort  them. 
I    know   what    they   are   passing    through.     My   own    ])ooi- 

^Written  to  Mr.  W.  K.  Odell  and  sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  99 

heart  is  torn  and  bleeding-.     Let  us  all  remember  that  our 
strength  is  from  above,  and  that 

"  Not  to  the  strong  is  the  battle, 
Not  to  the  swift  is  the  race, 
But  to  the  true  and  the  faithful 
Victory  is  given  through  grace." 

Write  me,  dear  Will,  the  particiulars  when  you  tind  time, 

or  send  me  papers. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Jo.  B.  Morgan. 


Southern  Railway  Company. 

Raleigh,  N.  C,  March  29,  1899. 

Mr.  W.  R.  Odell,  East  Durham,  N.  C.  :* 

My  Dear  Mr.  Odell— I  was  absent  in  New  York  when  I 
received  a  telegram  from  my  office  advising-  me  of  the  hor- 
rible accident  causing  the  death  of  Mr.  Branson.  I  can 
scarcely  realize  that  we  will  not  be  able  to  see  him  and  get 
his  wise  opinion  on  questions  that  aflfect,  not  only  the 
State,  but  the  different  individual  interests  in  it. 

Mr.  Branson  was  one  of  my  very  good  friends.  He  was 
a  man  of  sterlings  worth  and  integrity  and  the  State  is  the 
sufferer  by  his  death.  I  deeply  sympathize  with  his  family 
in  their  sad  bereavement. 

The  sad  results  of  this  accident  bring  home  to  us  very 
vividly  that  "in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death." 

With  very  high  personal  regards,  I  am. 

Yours  very  truly, 

A.  B.  Andrews. 

♦Written  to  Mr.  W.  R.  Odell  and  sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


100  IN    MEMORIAM. 


The  Orton. 

Wilmington,  N.  C,  March  26,  1899. 

Mr.  W.  R.  Odell,  Concord,  N.  C.  :* 

Dear  Sir — I   read   yesterday   in  a  Charleston  paper  an 

account  of  the  sad  death  of   Mr.   Branson   at  Durham.     I 

have  felt  deeply  moved  by  the  death  of  such  a  true  g-entle- 

man,  and  he  was  always  so  courteous  to  me  in  my  business 

relations  with  him  that  I  would  like  through  you  to  convey 

to  his  family  the  expressions  of  my  deepest  sympathy.     I 

did    not    have    the    pleasure    of    knowino-    Mr.    Branson's 

family,  but  my  high  regard  for  him  prompts  me  to  write 

you  this  letter,  knowing  that  you  were  intimately  acquainted 

with  him. 

Yours  very  truly, 

S.  B.  Cary, 

[Southern  Sales  Agent  for  Castner,  Curraii  <&  Bullett.) 


Philadelphia,  March  28,  1899. 
Mr.  William  R.  Odell,  Concord,  N.  C.:* 

Dear  Sir — It  was  with  feelings  of  sincere  regret  that  I 
learned  of  the  sad  accident  to  Mr.  Branson  and  of  his 
untimely  death.  I  have  felt  all  day  as  if  a  dark  shadow 
had  been  cast  across  my  path. 

We  meet  many  men  in  business,  or  in  social  life,  but  I 
have  felt  since  making  Mr.  Bi-anson's  acquaintance  that 
there  were  few  who  left  so  favorable  an  impression  on  erei^y 
one  who  had  the  pleasure  of  knowing  him. 

His  frank,  cheerful  nature  made  its  impress  wherever  he 
went. 

*Written  to  Mr,  W.  R.  Odell  and  sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  101 

While  we  had  not  been  doing-  any  business  with  him 
recently  it  was  a  matter  of  satisfaction  to  us  that  we  had 
known  him  and  that  our  relations  had  always  been  so 
pleasant.  His  memory  will  remain  with  us.  I  heartily 
sympathize  with  his  wife  and  children  so  suddenly  bereft, 
and  to  you,  who  were  so  close  to  him,  I  offer  my  sincere 
sympathy. 

It  is  hard  for  us  to  understand  a  Providence  of  this  kind, 
but  as  Christians  we  are  forced  to  bow  our  heads  and 
believe  that  God  knows  best. 

Yours  very  trul}^, 
«  James  L.  Wilson, 

{of  Jas.  W.  Cooke  &  Co.,  Philadelphia.) 


Joshua  L.  Baily  &  Co. 

Philadelphia,  March  25,  1899. 
Durham  Cotton  Manufacturing  Co.,  Durham,  N.  C.:* 

Gentlemen— We  teleg-raphed  you  this  morning  as  fol- 
lows: 

"We  all  join  you  and  all  your  people  in  deepest  sympa- 
thy in  the  irreparable  loss  of  our  dear  friend,  Mr. 
Branson.     Telegraph  hour  of  funeral." 

Yours  truly, 

[Die.  by  F.  L.  B.]  Joshua  L.  Baily  &  Co. 

Your  answer  at  hand,  saying  it  was  necessary  for 
funeral  to  be  held  today,  which  we  reg-ret.  We  should 
have  liked  very  much  to  have  had  the  pj'ivile^e  of  attend- 
ing the  funeral  and  in  offering-  this  last  tribute  of  our 
respect. 

♦Sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


102  IN   MEMORTAM. 


The  Whitin  Machine  Works. 

Whitinsville,  Mass.,  March  28,  1899. 
Durham  Cotton  M'f'g  Co.,  East  Durham,  N.  C.:* 

Gentlemen — We  are  very  much  shocked  to  learn, 
through  our  Mr.  Mayes,  of  the  sad  accident  and  death  of 
Mr.  Branson.  We  feel  that  we,  personally,  have  lost  a 
friend.  The  writer  has  valued  Mr  Branson's  friendship 
very  much  for  a  number  of  years,  and  I  recollect  many 
pleasant  interviews  with  him. 

Will  you  kindly  express  to  Mrs.  Branson  and  family, 
my  sympathy.  Yours  truly, 

G.  M.  Whitin. 


East  Durham,  N.  C,  April  5,  1899. 


Mrs.  Odell:* 


Dear  Sister — East  Durham  is  not  as  it  was  prior  to 
March  24.  My  loss  is  so  great !  I  never  knew  until  since 
that  date  how  1  loved  Bro.  Branson.  He  was  as  a  brother 
to  me  and  I  do  miss  him  so  much. 

I  wish  I  had  some  appropriate  words  of  condolence  for 
you.  Be  was  "as  a  brother  to  me"  but  a  brother  to  you. 
And  such  a  noble,  manlj^  brother  he  was.  I  lived  close  to 
him  and  had  the  utmost  confidence  in  his  religion.  I  feel 
that  I  have  a  stronger  tie  in  Heaven  by  his  having-  died. 

I  have  never  seen  more  simple,  candid,  genuine  love  for 
a  Church  than  he  exemplified  for  this  Charch.  A  promi- 
nent minister  in  our  Conference  said  to  me:  "He  was  the 
most  useful  layman  in  the  North  Carolina  Conference." 
He  is  gone,  earth  is  poorer,  but  I  believe  that  Heaven  is 

♦Sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  103 

richer.     We  submit  to  His   will,    but  yet  it  is  so  hard  to 
give  up  one  so  good  and  useful. 

Will  you  please  tell  when  he  joined  the  church  and  who 
was  pastor':^  I  w^ould  like  to  know  the  name  of  his  parents 
also.     And  has  he  any  bi-others  or  sisters  except  you? 

Your  brother, 

D.  N.  Caviness. 


Carthage,  Mo.,  March  27,  1899. 
Dear  Sister  Branson: 

Words  cannot  express  our  sympathy  for  you  in  your 
deep  sorrow.  Though  far  away  we  mingle  our  tears  with 
yours.  How  glad  I  would  be  to  pen  some  word  of  comfort 
to  you,  however  little. 

The  telegram  came  yesterday  evening  ( Sunday)  about 
four  o'clock.  It  was  the  saddest  news  that  ever  came  to  our 
home.  Taken  al]  in  all  I  feel  that  my  best  friend  is  gone. 
How  I  loved  him!  Did  he  know  how  I  loved,  esteemed,  and 
appreciated  him?  1  hope  he  did.  I  tried  to  tell  him  some 
times  in  my  letters  how  I  did  love  him.  His  letters  were 
always  a  joy  to  us  all.  When  they  came  children  and  all 
dropped  everything  'till  they  were  read. 

He  said  in  his  last  letter  that  he  hoped  to  visit  us  some- 
time, and  somehow  I  thought  it  would  be  so. 

We  are  pouring  out  our  hearts  to  the  Lord  that  He  will 
comfort  and  help  you  and  the  children.  Dear  little  Annie, 
that  I  learned  to  love  better  than  any  child  that  I  ever  saw, 
except  my  own. 

Bat  you  do  have  the  sweetest  of  all  comforts— /ze  was  the 
Lord's.  A  noble  man;  an  exceptional  character;  a  follower 
of  the  Master.  Thank  God  for  the  hope  of  seeing  him 
again.  Oh,  that  you  could  know  how  we  sorrow  and  sympa- 
ihize  with  you.  But  look  up,  dear  sister,  for  the  Lord's 
promises  will  not  fail. 


104  IN    MEMORIAM. 

These  lines  fall  far  below  what  my  heart  long-s  to  express, 

but  I  send  them,  praying  that  the  Lord  may  keep  you  and 

yours. 

L.  L.  Johnson. 


Publishing  House  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  South. 

Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  27,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

Dear  Sister — Dr.  Kilg-o  has  just  informed  me  of  the 
death  of  your  excellent  husband.  Nothing  could  have 
shocked  me  more.  I  am  quite  overwhelmed  with  the  an- 
nouncement and  my  heart  pours  forth  its  prayerful  sympa- 
thies for  you.  None  can  enter  into  your  environments  and 
into  your  consciousness  and  tell  all  you  feel,  but  we  can 
sympathize  and  assure  you  of  prayerful  and  cordial 
interest  for  you  in  this  deep  sorrow,  and  then  the  blessed 
Lord  looks  with  pitying  eye  upon  you,  and  the  assurance 
of  His  word  is  that  His  grace  is  sufficient  for  you.  Lean 
hard  upon  him,  sister;  draw  close  to  the  hand  that  wields 
the  rod,  and  under  the  shadowing  wiogs  of  the  Almighty 
shelter  until  He  shall  say  "It  is  enough,  come  up  higher." 
Then  you  will  regain  the  loved  and  the  lost  in  the  land  of 
the  beautiful  and  the  good.  In  that  bright  world  the  sad 
word  '"farewell"  will  not  be  heard,  for  we  shall  never  say 
good-bye  in  heaven. 

I  loved  your  husband  as  a  younger  brother,  and  I  shall 
miss  him  when  I  go  to  the  North  Carolina  Conference,  for 
it  was  always  pleasant  in  going  to  anticipate  meeting  with 
him.  I  know  where  he  is  and  I  know,  therefore,  where  to 
find  him.  Let  us  be  true  to  our  integrity .  and  walk  with 
God  and  we  shall  re-join  him  in  the  sweet  by-and-by. 
Sympathetically, 

.1.  D.  Barbee, 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  105 

Stone  Mountain  Railway  Company, 

Winston,  N.  C,  March  27,  1899. 
Dear  Mrs.  Branson: 

I  know  full  well  how  little  there  is  in  words  of  sympathy 
at  a  time  like  the  present,  but  having  known  your  late 
husband  since  he  was  a  small  boy,  and  having-  in  all  these 
years  since  that  time  counted  him  as  my  friend,  and  having 
rejoiced  at  his  success  and  usefulness,  and  predicted  for 
him  a  long  and  honorable  life  with  prosperity  and  happi- 
ness, rich  in  benevolence  and  in  good  works,  I  was  greatly 
grieved  at  his  death,  and  feel  that  I  would  like  to  express 
to  you  and  your  children  my  sincere  sympathy,  and  in  this 
expression  my  family  join  me.  Had  I  known  of  his  death 
before  his  burial,  I  would  have  attended  his  funeral. 
Sincerely  yours, 

G.  W.  HinshaW. 


Cloverton,  Ardmore,  Pa.,  March  24,  1899. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Branson, 

I  have  just  received  a  message  over  the  telephone  that  I 
could  hardly  believe,  and  cannot  yet  realize,  of  the  terrible 
accident  at  Durham  today,  and  its  fatal  results  this  after- 
noon. I  have  never  had  anything  to  shock  me  so  before, 
as  I  left  Mr.  Branson  on  Tuesday  evening  in  such  perfect 
health  and  vigor.  I  took  dinner  on  Monday  evening  and 
breakfast  on  Tuesday  morning  with  him,  and  spent  most 
of  Tuesday  with  him,  returning  from  New  York  in  the 
afternoon,  and  leaving  him  at  Philadelphia  on  his  train 
bound  for  home,  and  I  can  only  think  of  him  as  J  saw  him 
then,  in  his  splendid  manly  strength  and  with  the  kindly 
smile,  and  the  hearty  clasp  of  the  hand  as  he  bid  me  good- 


106  IN   MEMOKIAM. 

bye,  and  while  I  feel  very  reluctant  to  intrude  upon  you  at 
such  a  sacred  time,  I  cannot  forbear  to  express  in  a  few 
poor  words  my  deepest  sympathy  for  you  in  your  immeas- 
urable loss.  I  feel  that  I  have  had  a  great  loss  in  such  a 
friend,  and  to  one  who  has  lost  so  much  more  I  can  sympa- 
thize with  all  my  heart. 

Mr.  Branson  leaves  a  place  in  this  world  that  cannot  be 
filled,  a  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  many  friends  that  will 
always  remain,  and  a  memory  that  will  never  fade;  the 
memory  of  an  honorable,  upright  Christian  gentleman 
whose  good  influence  was  felt  by  everyone  who  knew  him, 
and  who  leaves  this  world  better  that  he  has  lived  in  it, 
and  as  I  reverently  believe,  to  receive  the  reward  promised 
to  those  who  lived  as  he  did. 

All   our  family   and   all   our  people  join  me  in  offering 
you  our  deepest  sympathy  in  this  sad  hour,  and  some  time, 
after  awhile,  I  shall  hope  to  see  you  when  I  visit  your  city 
again.     Meanwhile  believe  me,  my  dear  Mrs.  Branson, 
Very  sincerely, 

Frederick  L.  Baily. 


Charlotte,  N.  C,  March  30,  1899. 

Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

My  Dear  Madam — I  was  absent  from  town  when  the 
news  of  the  harrowing  and  untimely  death  of  your  husband 
reached  me.  Accept,  dear  madam,  in  this  your  hour  of 
sorrow  and  anguish,  my  sincerest  sympathy  and  condo- 
lence. I  also  mourn  in  his  death  the  loss  of  a  kind  and 
genial  friend,  whom  no  one  ever  knew  but  to  love  and 
respect. 

While  no  earthly  power  can  restoi-e  to  you  the  kind 
husband  and  loving  father,  yet  nevertheless,  it  must  be  a 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  107 

satisfaction  to  you,  although  a  sad  one,  to  know  that  he 
leaves  for  his  posterity  a  name  as  bright  and  unsullied  as 
the  noonday  sun. 

Very  respectfully, 

S.   WiTTKOWSKY. 


Wilmington,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
My  Dear  Sister  Branson: 

My  surprise  was  exceeded  only  by  my  g-rief  when,  at  7:45 
last  nio-ht,  the  messenger  handed  me  a  telegram  from  Bro. 
Walker  stating  that  Bro.  Branson  had  suddenly  been 
removed  from  us. 

In  that  hour  my  heart  w^ent  up  in  prayer  to  the  Father 
that  you  and  your  dear  children  might  have  strength  and 
grace  to  sustain  you  in  the  dark  hour  of  grief. 

Twelve  years  ago  I  first  met  Will  Branson,  as  all  famil- 
iarly called  him,  and  there  has  existed  ever  since  a  warm 
friendship  which  I  am  glad  to  say  is  not  limited  to  time, 
but  extends  into  the  great  beyond. 

I  am  well  aware  of  the  inadequacy  of  human  words  to 
console  you  in  your  grief,  and  yet  I  know  the  high  esteem 
in  which  your  husband  was  held  must  be  a  great  source  of 
comfort  to  you. 

While,  naturally,  your  grief  is  the  most  poignant,  yet 
there  is  a  host  of  his  true  and  loyal  friends  who  mourn 
with  you  today:  for  their  personal  loss  is  keenly  felt. 

I  will  turn  my  face  to  the  Conference  with  a  sad  heart, 
for  he  will  not  be  there.  For  years  he  has  been  one  of  the 
first  to  greet  me  and  among  the  last  to  say  good-bye.  Ever 
since  our  first  meeting  I  have  known  him  intimately  and 
always  set  great  store  by  his  friendship. 

He  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  integrity,  always 
frank  and  open  in  his  dealings  with  men.  Indeed  did  he 
bare  "without  abuse  that  grand  old  name  of  gentleman." 


108  IN   MEMORIAM. 

The  town  of  Durham,  our  State,  our  Conference,  are 
made  poorer  by  his  removal  and  it  will  be  a  long:  time,  if 
ever,  before  his  place  can  be  filled  in  our  Church.  While, 
according  to  natural  life,  he  lived  out  but  half  his  days, 
yet  his  life  was  complete  because  it  was  ordered  according- 
to  the  divine  plan,  and  in  that  there  is  no  imperfection. 

There  are  three  of  you  here  and  two  are  yonder,  and 
some  day  the  home-bringing  of  those  that  remain  will 
re-unite  the  separated  ones  "to  be  forever  with  the  Lord." 

I  commend  you  and  yours  to  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  May  Heaven  sustain  and  give  strength  in  this  hour 
of  sore  need. 

My  wife  joins  me  in  love  and  sympathy  to  you. 
Your  friend, 

John  H.  Hall. 


GOLDSBORO,  N.  C,  March  24,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C, 

Dear  Madam — I  wish  to  express  my  deepest  sympathy 
in  this  hour  of  sudden  and  sore  bereavement,  w^hen  the 
"waves  and  billows"  of  soi'row  have  gone  over  you.  The 
news  of  your  husband's  death  was  a  great  shock  to  me, 
and  I  mourn  his  loss  to  his  family,  to  the  Church,  and  to 
myself  personally,  for  in  our  association  I  had  been  drawn 
to  him  in  aflfection. 

He  was  such  a  true,  noble,  honorable  man,  and  so  faith- 
ful and  devoted  to  the  church,  and  so  useful  in  every  way. 
It  seems  a  strange  providence  that  took  him,  but  God  is 
good.  Why,  we  cannot  tell,  but  some  day  you  will  know, 
for  I  believe  all  the  dealings  of  our  Father  with  us  here 
will  be  made  plain  when  we  cease  to  "see  through  a  glass 
darkly." 

Yours  is  a  great  loss,  but  few  women  have  such  a  hus- 
band as  you  had. 


WILLIAM    HENRY    BRANSON.  109 

May  He  who  loves  you  with  more  than  a  mother's  love, 
comfort  you  in  this  dark,  sad  hour.  Do  not  trouble  to 
acknowledge  this  unless  it  shall  be  your  wish.  You  will 
have  too  many  such  to  answer  all. 

Yours  in  sympathy, 

F.  D.  Swindell. 


LiNDELL  Hotel. 

St.  Louis,  March  27,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

My  Dear  Madam— I  am  just  in  receipt  of  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Morg-an,  saying-  he  has  just  received  a  teleg-ram  from 
Mr.  Will  Odell,  telling- him  of  the  sad  and  unexpected  death 
of  Mr.  Branson.  This  is  a  g-reat  shock  to  me  and  my  heart 
g-oes  out  with  deepest  sympathy  to  you  and  your  dear  little 
children  in  this,  your  sad  affliction.  It  is  not  only  a  great 
loss  to  you  and  family,  but  Durham  loses  one  of  its  best 
citizens;  Trinity  Colleg-e  and  our  Church  a  valued  worker 
and  friend,  and  the  State  of  North  Carolina  one  of  its 
leading  manufacturers.  God  bless  and  comfort  you  and 
children  in  this,  your  great  loss.  I  am. 
Very  sincerely  your  friend, 

J.   N.    BOHANNON. 


Washington,  N.  C,  March  25,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C: 

My  Dear  Sister— I  am  aware  that  no  human  words  can 
comfort  your  sad  heart,  but  permit  me  to  assure  you  of  my 
deep  sympathy  with  you  in  the  irreparable  loss  you  have 
sustained  in  the  death  of  your  noble  husband.  T  have  the 
honor    of   claiming-  him  as  my  friend,  and   when  the  sad 


110  IN   MEMORIAM. 

news   of  his   trag-ic  death   reached   me   it  overwhelmed   me 
with  deep  sorrow  and  I  now  join  you  in  your  deep  grief. 

Your  husband  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  North  Caro- 
lina Conference  and  the  whole  Church,  and  nowhere,  out- 
side of  his  own  home  circle,  will  he  be  more  sadly  missed 
than  by  his  brethren  of  the  Conference.  Be  assured  that 
the  prayers  of  his  brethren  will  ascend  to  Heaven  for  you 
in  this  dark  hour.  His  life  was  a  guarantee  that  he  was 
ready  for  the  Master's  call.  "He  is  not  lost,  but  gone 
before."  Be  assured  of  the  prayers  and  sympathy  of  his 
friend  and  your  brother  in  Christ. 

L.  L.  Nash. 


McApoo  House. 

Greensboro,  N.  C,  March  29,  1899. 
My  Dear  AIadam: 

I  cannot  tell  you  with  what  sorrow  I  learned  of  your  sad 
affliction,    but    want    to    tell    you,    you    have   my    deepest 
sympathy.     He  alone,  in  whom    Will  trusted,  can  comfort 
and  sustain  you.     May  He  ever  bless  and  keep  you. 
Yours  sincerely, 

H.  E.  Weisiger, 
{of  Bichmond,  Fa.) 


Southern  Cotton  Mills. 

Bessemer  City,  N.  C,  September  13,  1899. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Branson,  Durham,  N.  C. : 

Dear  Mrs.  Branson— I  enclose  you  copy  of  a  resolution 
adopted  at  meeting  of  our  Board  of  Directors  yesterday. 

Let  me  add  my  deep  personal  endorsement  of  the  resolu- 
tion, and  of  more.  Mr.  Branson  w^as  my  warm  personal 
friend,    and  his  place  in  my  business  gave  me  an  encour- 


WILLIAM    HENRY   BRANSON.  lU 

ag-ement  that  his  simple  duties  as  director  could  not  give. 
I  felt  his  absence  yesterday  painfully. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

S.  J.  Durham. 


New  Bern,  N.  C,  March  31,  1899. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Branson: 

It  was  with  profound  regret  and  emotions  that  were  o'er- 
mastering-  that  I  learned  of  your  husband's  death. 

I  knew  him  well,.  I  admired  him  for  his  strict  integrity 
and  sterling  qualities  of  mind  and  heart,  I  loved  him  for 
his  g-entle,  manly  ways,  I  respected  him  for  his  courteous 
bearing  and  the  high  position  he  occupied  among-  his  fel- 
lowmen. 

I  feel  that  I,  too,  have  sustained  a  loss,  I  feel  that  I, 
too,  can  mourn  with  you  !  My  heart  is  saddened  as  T  write 
these  lines,  and  unconsciously,  almost,  I  ponder  over  the 
past,  I  see  him  in  the  full  vig-or  of  a  glorious  manhood,  a 
brig-ht  future  before  him,  a  happy  home,  hosts  of  admiring- 
friends,  and  everyihing-  to  make  life  pleasant  and  desira"- 
ble.  I  am  almost  tempted  to  ask,  why  is  this?  But  the 
answer  would  come,  the  Master  has  called,  his  w^ork  is 
done,  his  mission  is  over. 

With  you  it  is  a  day  of  sorrow,  with  him  a  day  of  joy. 
You  put  on  the  emblems  of  mourning,  you  g-rieve  for  him; 
for  him  it  is  a  coronation  day.  Only  a  little  while,  only  a 
little  way— just  across  the  river— a  few  years,  maybe  a  few 
days— and  you  will  meet  him,  that  meeting-  by  the  river 
of  life,  that  meeting-  within  the  pearly  walls  of  the  New 
Jerusalem,  that  meeting-  at  the  feet  of  the  Christ,  that  meet- 
ing will  be  far  more  joyous,  far  more  glorious;  for  you 
meet  to  part  no  more. 


112  IN    MEMORIAM.  ,  . 

My  wife  joins  with  me  in  love  and  sympathy  and  prays 

that  the  great  God  may  comfort  and  bless  you. 

Sincerely, 

L.  H.  Cutler. 


San  Luis  Potosi,  Mex.,  March  27,  1899. 
My  Dear  John:* 

This  morning-'s  paper  tells  of  the  tragical  death  of  Bro. 
Branson;  I  am  greatly  distressed.  We  have  lost  an 
exceedingly  g-ood  and  valuable  man. 

Please  express  to  his  wife  my  sympathy  with  hei'  in  such 
a  trying  experience. 

He  helped  me  in  the  work  here  by  a  special  contribution. 
Affectionately, 

W.  W.  Duncan, 
{Bishop  M.  E.  Church  South.) 


Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  20,  1899. 

My  Dear  Madam  and  Sister: 

My  heart  went  out  to  you  in  deepest  sympathy  when  I 
heard  of  the  great,  great  sorrow  that  has  come  upon  you. 
It  is  a  sorrow  whose  bitterness  no  one  can  fully  under- 
stand. It  is  a  sorrow  I  cannot  explain.  I  can  only 
sympathize  and  pray  that  you  may  now  feel  the  presence 
of  the  crucified  and  risen  Jesus,  who  was  himself  a  Man  of 
Sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief.  May  you  feel  the 
clasp  of  his  arms  that  are  strong  enough  and  tender 
enough  to  embrace  all  who  mourn. 

Mrs.  Fitzgerald  joins  in  this  prayer,     I  am. 

Your  brother  in  the  one  hope, 

O.  P.  Fitzgerald, 
{Bisho2)  M.  E.  Church,  South.) 

*Written  to  Dr.  Kilgo  and  sent  to  Mrs.  Branson. 


